Weather and winds in Saronicos and Argolikos Gulfs

Source: GREEK WATERS PILOT, Rod Heikell

The normal summer wind differs radically depending on where you are in this area. Along the mainland coast from the Corinth Canal to Ak Sounion and the sea area between the mainland coast and Methana, the meltemi is the normal wind. It blows from the NNE to NE at about Force 4-6, although it may be stronger around Ak Sounion.

Around the Methana peninsula and Poros it is usually less. The meltemi starts blowing in July and dies in October. If the meltemi does not blow, (and it is not as regular here as in the Cyclades or the Dodecanese), the wind in this sea area is generally from the south, usually getting up about midday, blowing Force 2-4, and dying off about sunset.

Moving south and east, in Kolpos Idhras (Gulf of Hydra) and Argolikos Kolpos (Argolic Gulf), the prevailing wind is from the SE. It gets up about midday, blows Force 3-5, occasionally more, and dies down at night. In Argolikos Kolpos this wind can be relied upon in the summer for 90% of the time.

Down the eastern Peloponnisos the wind may be a weak meltemi from the NE or a southerly from the SE or SW. In the spring and autumn the wind is predominantly from the S over the whole area and is generally weak. In general there are few weather problems in the area.

When the meltemi is blowing there are strong gusts off the high land near the entrance to the Corinth Canal and around Ak Sounion. Along the eastern coast of the Peloponnisos there may be a katabatic wind at night. Astrous is particularly notorious for this wind which arrives without warning and often reaches Force 6-7 where previously there was no wind. It usually lasts for 4-6 hours. In the spring and autumn there may be thunderstorms accompanied by a squall, but these last only one or two hours on average.

In the winter the Saronic and Argolic Gulfs have a mild sunny climate making them popular places for yachts in the winter.