The meltemi winds, also referred to as the Etesian north wind are a distinct and distinctive natural phenomenon connected exclusively to the Aegean Sea. These seasonal winds are solid, completely dry, and typically rise to 7 on the Beaufort scale.
The wind's strength is amplified by the region's many islands, which act as natural funnels and accelerate its speed. It typically picks up strength during the afternoon and wanes by nighttime.
Climate
The meltemi winds are seasonal and generally show up throughout the summertime in between June and September, specifically in July and August. This katabatic wind can bring rough cruising problems however it likewise brings cooling, low humidity and clear skies.
Sailing in the Aegean throughout meltemi winds can be tough yet fulfilling for skilled seafarers. Prep work is essential to navigating in these conditions, including checking weather prediction and intending courses meticulously. It's additionally crucial to select a respectable charter business that can offer local knowledge and advice.
Visitors seeing the Aegean throughout meltemi season ought to be aware of the potential for harsh seas and solid currents, which can interrupt swimming activities and public ferries. Nonetheless, there are still a lot of methods to delight in the gorgeous scenery and sunshine. Simply make sure to comply with the safety standards listed below and use appropriate apparel. Additionally, prevent entering the water during optimal wind hours. This will certainly help you avoid obtaining dragged in by strong currents or being caught on covert rocks or coral reefs.
Regularity
Meltemi-- which implies 'annual wind' in Greek-- is a reoccuring function of summertime in the Aegean. These strong north 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 but it additionally provides difficulties.
The etesian winds blow from June via September however they have been recognized to start a month earlier in May. The good news is, experienced sailors recognize what to expect and can plan as necessary.
The meltemi usually picks up in the mid-day, reaching 5-- 7 Beaufort at its strongest, and afterwards fades by sundown. Nevertheless, it is not uncommon for it to linger throughout the night. The meltemi aerates the whole Aegean and can create horrible downslope gusts in the lee of Kea, Andros, Tinos, and behind steep high cliffs on Folegandros, Sifnos, and Serifos. It is the reason a good variety of windmills embellish capitals of these islands and the islanders are proficient in keeping their towns safeguarded by building rock wall surfaces.
Strength
The meltemi winds are awesome completely dry winds that solidify the warm summertime sunlight of Greece and its islands. They are seasonal and can blow from June to September with a height 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 rating system of wind strength).
They are created when a high pressure ridge over the Balkans fulfills a low stress trough over Turkey. They usually blow from northeast in the north Aegean, turning to northwest in the western Aegean and after that north in the main Aegean.
These strong katabatic winds can be hard for less experienced sailors and can make swimming and water sporting activities challenging as they develop powerful currents. Nonetheless, they offer air conditioning, low moisture and good exposure. They are strongest throughout the afternoon and usually calm down in the evening. The meltemi wind is a specifying function of the Aegean summer season.
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 via the southern Aegean and Cyclades islands. The winds commonly last for a few days at once, peaking in July and August. They normally get to 4 all-inclusive bahamas catamaran charters to 5 on the Beaufort scale however can sometimes be even more powerful reaching up to 7 or 8.
For knowledgeable seafarers, meltemi winds are a gift. They supply perfect problems for electrifying sailing experiences. For many, this is the primary factor they choose to sail the Aegean throughout the summer.
While meltemi can be difficult, it is likewise an all-natural a/c unit that maintains temperatures amazing and lowers humidity. The strong north breeze makes Paros and other Greek islands a heaven for windsurfing and kitesurfing. It additionally shapes the landscape and way of life of the islanders, attaching modern travelers to old seafaring practices.
