The meltemi winds, also known as the Etesian north wind are a special and distinctive natural phenomenon connected exclusively to the Aegean Sea. These seasonal winds are solid, dry, and typically rise to 7 on the Beaufort scale.
The wind's intensity is amplified by the region's many islands, which serve as natural funnels and accelerate its speed. It generally picks up strength during the afternoon and dies down by nighttime.
Weather
The meltemi winds are seasonal and generally appear throughout the summertime in between June and September, specifically in July and August. This katabatic wind can bring rough cruising problems yet it likewise brings air conditioning, low humidity and clear skies.
Sailing in the Aegean during meltemi winds can be tough yet fulfilling for skilled seafarers. Prep work is crucial to navigating in these conditions, including checking weather forecasts and intending courses very carefully. It's likewise 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 possibility for harsh seas and solid currents, which can interrupt swimming activities and public ferryboats. Nonetheless, there are still lots of methods to delight in the gorgeous scenery and sunlight. Simply make sure to follow the safety and security standards below and wear appropriate apparel. Likewise, prevent entering the water throughout height wind hours. This will help you stay clear of obtaining dragged in by strong currents or being caught on hidden rocks or coral reefs.
Regularity
Meltemi-- which means 'yearly wind' in Greek-- is a persisting function of summer in the Aegean. These solid north winds are influenced by a warmth trough over Turkey and a high pressure ridge in the Balkans. Its omnipresence makes it a wind for sailors but it additionally provides challenges.
The etesian winds impact from June with September but they have actually been understood best yachting destinations for couples to start a month previously in May. Luckily, seasoned seafarers understand what to expect and can intend appropriately.
The meltemi generally grabs in the mid-day, reaching 5-- 7 Beaufort at its toughest, and after that fades by sundown. Nevertheless, it is not unusual for it to continue throughout the night. The meltemi aerates the whole Aegean and can create awful 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 decorate capitals of these islands and the islanders are competent in maintaining their towns protected by constructing stone wall surfaces.
Intensity
The meltemi winds are trendy dry winds that temper the warm summer sunlight of Greece and its islands. They are seasonal and can blow from June to September with a top in July and August. They are generally 4 to 5 on the Beaufort scale yet they can rise to 7 (Beaufort scale is a ranking system of wind intensity).
They are developed when a high pressure ridge over the Balkans satisfies a reduced pressure trough over Turkey. They typically blow from northeast in the north Aegean, turning to northwest in the western Aegean and then north in the main Aegean.
These strong katabatic winds can be tough for less knowledgeable sailors and can make swimming and water sporting activities challenging as they produce effective currents. Nevertheless, they give cooling, reduced humidity and excellent visibility. They are toughest during the mid-day and typically relax at night. The meltemi wind is a defining attribute of the Aegean summertime.
Period
The meltemi winds are seasonal and are caused by the communication between high pressure systems over Greece and low stress systems over Turkey. The result is an effective wind tunnel that blows with the southerly Aegean and Cyclades islands. The winds generally last for a couple of days at a time, peaking in July and August. They generally reach 4 to 5 on the Beaufort range yet can in some cases be also stronger reaching up to 7 or 8.
For seasoned sailors, meltemi winds are a gift. They give perfect problems for exhilarating sailing journeys. For many, this is the primary factor they choose to sail the Aegean throughout the summer.
While meltemi can be difficult, it is additionally a natural a/c that maintains temperatures great and lowers humidity. The strong north wind makes Paros and other Greek islands a paradise for windsurfing and kitesurfing. It additionally shapes the landscape and lifestyle of the islanders, linking modern-day travelers to ancient seafaring practices.
