MeltemiMeltemi is a wind phenomenon associated with the Greek Islands of the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea. It is a strong, dry, northeasterly wind that typically blows in the summer months and is characterized by clear skies and warm temperatures.
What are the prevailing winds in the Greek islands?
Throughout the summer, the prevailing winds are northeastern winds in the Northern Aegean, and northwestern winds in the Southern Aegean. The meltemia are weaker during May and June, stronger during July and August, but disappear in the fall, when the high Balkan barometric pressures are decrease.
Why is it so windy in Crete?
Since most of Crete's organized resorts are on the North Coast, you may experience these winds, especially in July and August. Weather in Crete is affected by the spinal ridge of mountain ranges which run east to west across the island.
What are the winds in Santorini called?
An important characteristic of Santorini (as well as, of the whole Aegean Sea) is meltemia. Meltemia are annual local north or northwestern winds which blow from May to September. Locals consider them to be a relief or even a blessing during the hot summer days.
What are the four winds in Greece?
The Anemoi, or winds gods of Greek mythology; the four main anemoi are Boreas (North), Zephyrus (West), Notus (South) and Eurus (East); their Roman equivalents (Venti) are, respectively, Aquilo (or Aquilon), Favonius, Auster and Vulturnus.
What are the weather patterns in Crete?
Crete has a mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters. If you're a sunseeker the best time to visit Crete is between June and September. The hottest month of the year is July with an average daily maximum of 32 C and an average low of 22 C.
Is it very windy in Crete?
The south side of the island typically experiences the strongest winds. During the months of July and August, the so-called "meltemia" occurs here. The seaside areas feel the breeze when they stop. Autumn is characterized by strong winds from the south, while winter is dominated by northern winds.
What is the southern wind called in Greek?
NotusNotus, the South Wind, was wet and stormy. Eurus, the East Wind, was warm and melted the heavy snow on the high mountain ridges, piled there by the West Wind (Odyssey, XIX. 237-239). Zephyrus, the West Wind, had two guises.
What is the Mistral wind in Greece?
MISTRAL: The Mistral wind is a type of cold, dry and turbulent wind, which can reach 100 km/h and exceed 75 knots, i.e. 140 km/h. It usually appears from November to April and lasts between 3 and 6 days.
What is the wind called in Crete?
What is the windiest part of Crete?
Even deep, sheltered coves on the south coast can be blasted by winds from the south, west, and south west (Paleochora, at the extreme south west tip, is one of the windiest places of all).
What is the meltemi wind in Crete?
The meltemi (pronounced “meltémi”) is a wind that relates exclusively to the Aegean Sea during the summer months from mid-June until September with peak incidence in July and August. The particular characteristics it shows have been studied since the ancient times where these winds were called “etisíes”.
What are the 8 winds in Greek?
The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, in his Meteorology (c. 340 BCE), introduced a ten-to-twelve wind system. One reading of his system is that there are eight principal winds: Aparctias (N), Caecias (NE), Apeliotes (E), Eurus (SE), Notos (S), Lips (SW), Zephyrus (W) and Argestes (NW).
What part of Crete is the windiest?
This means that even when the north coast is uncomfortably windy, the south coast may be calm and pleasant. The exception to this is where gorges and valleys channel the north winds, which can create areas of intense winds at certain spots along the coast. This is especially true at Frangokastello and Plakias Bay.
Which side of Crete is the windiest?
This means that even when the north coast is uncomfortably windy, the south coast may be calm and pleasant. The exception to this is where gorges and valleys channel the north winds, which can create areas of intense winds at certain spots along the coast. This is especially true at Frangokastello and Plakias Bay.
What are the four Greek winds?
The Anemoi, or winds gods of Greek mythology; the four main anemoi are Boreas (North), Zephyrus (West), Notus (South) and Eurus (East); their Roman equivalents (Venti) are, respectively, Aquilo (or Aquilon), Favonius, Auster and Vulturnus.
What is the Greek wind pattern?
Of the four chief Anemoi, Boreas (Aquilo in Roman mythology) is the north wind and bringer of cold winter air, Zephyrus (Favonius in Latin) is the west wind and bringer of light spring and early-summer breezes, and Notus (Auster in Latin) is the south wind and bringer of the storms of late summer and autumn; Eurus, the …
What is the other name for mistral wind?
Mistral A cold, dry wind blowing from the north over the northwest coast of the Mediterranean Sea, particularly over the Gulf of Lions. Also called CIERZO.
Is Crete very windy?
The Winds of Crete (there is a good book of that title by David McNeil Doren) are many and varied: they come from different directions at different times of year, and although the meltemi, which blows from the north, is of course strongest on the north coast, there is nowhere on Crete that can be guaranteed completely …