Toulouse. “L’Autan, the wind that drives you crazy”: what if it wasn’t just an urban legend?
By Yasmine Amadiou
Published on
According to a saying from the Tarn, ” when the Autan blows, the madmen of Albi dance”. Popular beliefs, phenomenon observed and approved by science… What is it really?
The Autan wind can affect our mood
In recent days, the Autan wind has been hitting hard in Toulouse and has even reached 110 km/h. And around this meteorological phenomenon, many popular beliefs circulating and saying that it would make people “crazy”. Well it’s a fact, this Autan Wind can actually affect our mood. According to Pascal Boureau, former forecaster at Météo France, the most supported people are generally those having mental disorders.
“It’s a fact, the Autan wind can affect our minds. It is characterized by gusts that appear irregularly like thrusts. It can annoy and irritate more than one”.
This phenomenon can manifest in many ways, one can feel irritated, annoyed and even have aggressive tendencies as Pascal Boureau confides to Toulouse news. And if this strong “irregularity” can annoy some people, it is not the only explanation.
A surplus of positive ions
This famous Autan wind passes through mountains in Aude where crystalline rocks are numerous. As it trains through these rocks, it carries with it positive ion particles that have a real impact negative on the human organism. When gusts hit Toulouse for example, the atmosphere becomes unbalanced due to positive ions many more than normal.
“We find positive ions as well as negative ions in the air. The ions are beneficial for our health and can create a real feeling of calm”.
So why, if positive ions are more present than negative ions, the atmosphere can consider in some a feeling increased irritability even migraine attacks.
And from a medical point of view, a study was carried out in 1983 to University Hospital of Rangueil by three researchers: R. Franc, J. Claverie and P. Moron. Subsequently they explained that the Autan wind “acts in particular on people with psychiatric antecedents who are more meteorologically sensitive”.
A drop in intensity since Thursday
Good news after several days of strong wind warnings, the gusts have diminished in intensity since Thursday, March 24, 2022. As Pascal Boureau explains, the anticyclone is migrating towards England, while losing a little power.
In conclusion, it’s not a legend, the Autan wind can really drive people “crazy”!
Was this article helpful to you? Note that you can follow Actu Toulouse in the My Actu space. In one click, after registration, you will find all the news of your favorite cities and brands.