Winds and weather on Dodecanese Islands

Source: GREEK WATERS PILOT, Rod Heikell

In the summer the prevailing wind is the meltemi blowing from the NW-W. It starts fitfully in June, blows strongly in July through to September and again fitfully in October. In the summer months it regularly blows Force 4-6 and may on occasion reach Force 7. It does not blow every day, but may blow without a break for 5-10 days.

In the spring and autumn the wind frequently blows from the SE, about Force 2-4, although it may be stronger on occasion. In the winter the wind is predominantly from the SE although gales may come from the N or S.

When the meltemi is blowing at full strength in July and August the gusts off the lee side of an island can be considerably stronger than the wind strength in the open sea. Gusts are particularly strong off Patmos, Kalimnos, Kos, Nisiros, Tilos, Karpathos and Astipalaia.

In the comparatively open stretch of sea between Astipalaia and Karpathos a large and disturbed sea is set up when the meltemi blows for days on end. Although it is possible to go N when the meltemi is blowing, it makes better sense to plan to be heading S in July and August. The typical short seas it sets up make sailing or motoring to windward arduous and tiring.

In the summer months it is very hot in the Dodecanese although the meltemi provides some relief. Temperatures may reach 35°C although the average temperature is less. In the winter the climate is mild. The overall climate is similar to Crete or that in Sicily.