The meltemi winds, likewise known as the Etesian north wind are a distinct and distinct natural phenomenon linked exclusively to the Aegean Sea. These seasonal winds are strong, dry, and often reach up to 7 on the Beaufort scale.
The wind's intensity is intensified by the region's several islands, which serve as all-natural funnels and accelerate its rate. It usually picks up stamina during the afternoon and wanes by nighttime.
Weather
The meltemi winds are seasonal and usually appear throughout the summer season between June and September, particularly in July and August. This katabatic wind can bring rough cruising conditions but it likewise brings air conditioning, reduced moisture and clear skies.
Cruising in the Aegean throughout meltemi winds can be difficult however satisfying for experienced sailors. Prep work is vital to navigating in these conditions, consisting of inspecting weather prediction and planning paths meticulously. It's likewise crucial to choose a respectable charter firm that can give local understanding and recommendations.
Tourists checking out the Aegean during meltemi period should be aware of the capacity for harsh seas and strong currents, which can interrupt swimming activities and public ferries. Nonetheless, there are still lots of methods to take pleasure in the beautiful surroundings and sunlight. Just make sure to comply with the safety and security standards listed below and use proper clothes. Also, prevent entering the water during peak wind hours. This will certainly aid you avoid obtaining dragged in by solid currents or being caught on covert rocks or coral reefs.
Regularity
Meltemi-- which suggests 'annual wind' in Greek-- is a repeating feature of summer in the Aegean. These strong northern winds are influenced by a heat trough over Turkey and a high pressure ridge in the Balkans. Its omnipresence makes it a wind for seafarers yet it additionally offers obstacles.
The etesian winds strike from June with September but they have actually been recognized to begin a month previously in May. Luckily, experienced sailors understand what to expect and can intend appropriately.
The meltemi normally gets in the afternoon, reaching 5-- 7 Beaufort at its strongest, and then discolors by sundown. Nonetheless, it is not unusual for it to continue throughout the night. The meltemi aerates the entire Aegean and can produce unpleasant downslope gusts in the lee of Kea, Andros, Tinos, and behind steep high cliffs on Folegandros, Sifnos, and Serifos. It is the reason that a great number of windmills decorate capitals of these islands and the islanders are proficient in maintaining their villages protected by constructing rock walls.
Strength
The meltemi winds are trendy completely dry winds that solidify the hot summer season sun of Greece and its islands. They are seasonal and can blow from June to September with a yachting vacations for couples peak in July and August. They are usually 4 to 5 on the Beaufort range yet they can reach up to 7 (Beaufort range is a ranking system of wind intensity).
They are developed when a high pressure ridge over the Balkans fulfills a low stress trough over Turkey. They normally blow from northeast in the northern Aegean, turning to northwest in the western Aegean and then north in the main Aegean.
These solid katabatic winds can be challenging for less skilled seafarers and can make swimming and water sporting activities challenging as they develop powerful currents. However, they provide air conditioning, low humidity and great visibility. They are toughest during the afternoon and normally relax during the night. The meltemi wind is a specifying feature of the Aegean summertime.
Duration
The meltemi winds are seasonal and are brought on by the interaction in between high pressure systems over Greece and reduced pressure systems over Turkey. The outcome is a powerful wind tunnel that strikes through the southerly Aegean and Cyclades islands. The winds typically last for a couple of days at a time, coming to a head in July and August. They normally get to 4 to 5 on the Beaufort scale yet can in some cases be even more powerful reaching up to 7 or 8.
For seasoned sailors, meltemi winds are a present. They offer excellent conditions for electrifying sailing journeys. For lots of, this is the major reason they pick to sail the Aegean throughout the summertime.
While meltemi can be challenging, it is likewise a natural air conditioner that keeps temperature levels cool and lowers humidity. The strong north breeze makes Paros and various other Greek islands a paradise for windsurfing and kitesurfing. It likewise forms the landscape and lifestyle of the islanders, attaching modern tourists to old seafaring traditions.
