The meltemi winds, also called the Etesian north wind are an one-of-a-kind and unique natural sensation linked specifically to the Aegean Sea. These seasonal winds are strong, dry, and commonly reach up to 7 on the Beaufort range.
The wind's strength is magnified by the area's several islands, which work as natural funnels and accelerate its speed. It typically picks up strength during the afternoon and dies down by nighttime.
Weather
The meltemi winds are seasonal and generally appear during the summer months between June and September, especially in July and August. This katabatic wind can bring severe sailing conditions but it also brings cooling, low humidity and clear skies.
Sailing in the Aegean throughout meltemi winds can be tough but rewarding for seasoned sailors. Preparation is key to navigating in these conditions, consisting of checking weather forecasts and planning routes carefully. It's also important to pick a reliable charter company that can provide neighborhood expertise and recommendations.
Vacationers checking out the Aegean during meltemi season need to recognize the capacity for rough seas and strong currents, which can interfere with swimming tasks and public ferries. However, there are still plenty of means to take pleasure in the stunning scenery and sunlight. Simply make sure to follow the safety and security standards listed below and put on suitable clothes. Also, stay clear of going into the water during peak wind hours. This will certainly assist you prevent getting dragged in by strong currents or being caught on concealed rocks or coral reefs.
Frequency
Meltemi-- which indicates 'yearly wind' in Greek-- is a repeating feature of summer season in the Aegean. These strong northern winds are influenced by a warm trough over Turkey and a high pressure ridge in the Balkans. Its omnipresence makes it a wind for sailors but it likewise offers challenges.
The etesian winds strike from June via September but they have been understood to begin a month previously in May. Fortunately, seasoned seafarers recognize what to anticipate and can plan accordingly.
The meltemi normally picks up in the mid-day, reaching 5-- 7 Beaufort at its toughest, and after that discolors by sundown. Nonetheless, it is not unusual for it to continue throughout the night. The meltemi ventilates the entire Aegean and can produce awful downslope gusts in the lee of Kea, Andros, Tinos, and behind high high cliffs on Folegandros, Sifnos, and Serifos. It is the reason that a good number of windmills decorate the hills of these islands and the islanders are proficient in maintaining their towns shielded by building stone walls.
Intensity
The meltemi winds are awesome dry winds that temper the hot summer season 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 normally 4 to 5 on the Beaufort scale yet they can reach up to 7 (Beaufort range is a ranking system of wind strength).
They are produced when a high pressure ridge over the Balkans meets a reduced 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 central Aegean.
These solid katabatic winds can be tough for less experienced seafarers and can make swimming and water sporting activities testing as they produce powerful currents. Nonetheless, they supply cooling, low moisture and great visibility. They are strongest throughout the mid-day and generally relax during the night. The meltemi wind is a specifying feature of the Aegean summer season.
Period
The meltemi winds are seasonal and are triggered by the interaction in between high pressure systems over Greece and low stress systems over Turkey. The outcome is a powerful wind tunnel that impacts with the southern Aegean and Cyclades islands. The winds commonly last for a couple of days at a time, coming to a head in July and August. They normally reach 4 to 5 on the Beaufort range however best time to sail bvi can in some cases be also stronger rising to 7 or 8.
For knowledgeable sailors, meltemi winds are a present. They supply perfect problems for thrilling sailing journeys. For numerous, this is the main reason they select to cruise the Aegean throughout the summer.
While meltemi can be tough, it is likewise an all-natural ac unit that maintains temperature levels trendy and minimizes moisture. The strong north breeze makes Paros and other Greek islands a paradise for windsurfing and kitesurfing. It also forms the landscape and lifestyle of the islanders, linking modern tourists to ancient seafaring customs.
