Meltemi: gusts of 112 km/h, Kikilias appeal

Gale-force meltemi winds swept the Aegean on Friday, August 14, with automatic weather stations from the National Observatory of Athens and the meteo.gr service recording extreme values. The strongest gust by 13:40 was recorded at Paximada, Karystos, and reached 112 km/h. The summit of Penteli followed with 106 km/h. In total, fourteen stations recorded gusts above 80 km/h and 51 stations above 60 km/h. A special bulletin for gale-force winds was in effect, with northerly winds of force seven to eight and locally up to nine on the Beaufort scale in the Aegean.

The effects on ferry services were immediate. A sailing ban was in force from Rafina and Lavrio until 16:00, while cancellations and schedule changes also occurred out of Piraeus, mainly on routes served by high-speed vessels. After the ban was lifted, extra sailings were added to serve passengers who had remained at the ports. The timing was the worst possible, since the day before the August 15 holiday is the busiest day of the year for passenger traffic to the islands. Port authorities at each harbour decide independently on imposing and lifting the ban, based on local conditions and the characteristics of each type of vessel.

Shipping and Island Policy Minister Vasilis Kikilias addressed a message to citizens, calling for ‘caution and responsibility from everyone.’ The minister contacted ferry companies asking for continuous updates to passengers on schedule changes and cancellations, and advised travellers to contact the company or the relevant port authority before heading to the ports. Special mention was made of swimmers, sailing skippers, small-boat operators and those engaged in water sports, who were urged to avoid activities in areas with strong winds and heavy swell. The Shipping Ministry also activated passenger information mechanisms at the ports, to prevent crowds gathering in areas without adequate shade and facilities during waiting hours.

Meltemi winds are seasonal winds that blow across the Aegean mainly from July to September and are caused by the pressure difference between the Balkan anticyclone and the low-pressure system over the southeastern Mediterranean. While they act as a natural cooling effect during summer, the intensity recorded this week exceeded the average and was linked both to the disruption of maritime transport and to the increased wildfire risk across the country. Forecasts showed a gradual weakening from Saturday. More on the Weather page. The strength of the meltemi also affects flight arrivals at island airports with short runways and strong crosswinds, where landings are more often cancelled during such episodes.