Winds in Greece

In summer at the Aegean Sea is dominated by the Meltemi wind, which blows from north-east in the north and west of the Aegean Sea to north-west in the south and east. It is usually a light wind of 4-5 Beaufort in the early morning hours with an increase during the day to 5-6 Beaufort, by sunset Meltemi usually subsides. However, from mid-June to mid-September, Meltemi of 7-8 and sometimes 9 Beaufort is typical. These increases of Melotemi usually continue for 3 to 4 days.

From October to mid-May, northerly or southerly winds are equally probable. Winds of 10 Beaufort are not rare during the winter months. Heavy rains are also probable from late October to early May. Southern winter winds are especially treacherous and unpredictable.

In summer, the Ionian Sea is dominated by the NW wind Maestro (Maestro or Maistro is a north-west wind that blows during the summer in the Adriatic Sea when the pressure is low over the Balkan Peninsula. This fresh wind is accompanied by fine weather and light clouds. Not to be confused it with Mistral, a wind in the south of France) . In general, this wind is less strong from 2 to 5 Beaufort, and more stable than Meltemi in the Aegean Sea. Nevertheless, yacht skippers should watch out for wind gusts when sailing downwind from the high islands and be prepared for evening winds of 5 to 6 Beaufort from the north-east from the high mountains.

Northerly and southerly winds are equally probable from October to mid-May. Storm winds from south and south-east directions are possible. Thunderstorms with gale force winds are frequent in spring and autumn. The Ionian Sea has the highest rainfall in Greece.

Sources of information about the weather forecast in Greece:

• Athens Observatory - gives a 3-day (every 6 hours) detailed graphical forecast for the Greek seas
• Poseidon system - gives a 5-day (every 3 hours for 2 days, then every 6 hours) for Greek Seas from the National Center of Marine Research
• Weather online - provides a detailed 7-day graphical forecast for the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Atlantic
• Greek meteorological service - shows weather bulletins via NAVTEX
• WindGURU - weather for windsurfers around the world