warm, dry wind descending in the Alps. When air is drawn into the Alps from the Mediterranean it will rise and, if it reaches the dew point, its rate of cooling will be slowed due to the release of latent heat. This means that when it descends on the other side it is at a warmer temperature than if it had risen without reaching the dew point. If it reaches sea level it will be warmer than when it left the Mediterranean.
Geography Dictionary & Glossary for Students \\ ITS Tutorial School (ITS) - Hong Kong.