All you need to know about the Meltemi winds!

When the Meltemi winds do blow they mainly affect the southern Aegean and Cyclades islands. The winds are caused by a high-pressure system over Greece and a low-pressure system over Turkey, it is the interaction of these two weather systems that create seasonal winds.

When the winds do blow, they can last for a couple of days, typically they blow 4 to 5 on the Beaufort scale, however, they do sometimes reach higher speeds of 7 or 8. They are always blowing from the north and are cool dry winds.

As mentioned before they are seasonal winds, if the weather is right they can blow from June to September, with July and August the typical months for the winds to hit.

For the seasoned sailor, it can be a real treat to get some consistent wind and fruitful sailing whilst on holiday. However, the winds are hard to predict and can catch sailors off guard. The yacht charterer will give you a reasonably good forecast and the likelihood of the winds striking. If winds are looking likely for your holiday then they will advise you on the best locations to limit the effects of the wind on your trip.

Although the Meltemi blows in the Aegean Sea, it does not affect the Ionian Sea which is too far to the west and actually the Ionian and Aegean are two very different seas.

However, in these waters, you have to watch out for the Maestro Wind which is another kettle of fish altogether and which is the far better choice if you are new to sailing or are looking for a more relaxed holiday afloat in some glorious but calmer Greek waters.