For every French-speaking person, the word foehn refers to a wind typical to the Alpine region. It is a “warm” wind that blows during the winter months and brings thaw conditions in the Alps – not so fun for fans of winter sports.
By extension, un foehn also refers to a hairdryer, at least in Switzerland and in Alsace. Other francophone regions prefer sèche-cheveux (literally “dry-hairs”).
French with Valerie 