On the Turkish coast, the timing of deliveries is largely set by three winds: the meltemi in summer, and poyraz and lodos in the cold season. The same route can be an easy day's run or a window waited on for days, depending on the month.
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Meltemi
- When
- Usually from late May to mid-September; strongest in July and August.
- Direction
- From the north-east in the northern Aegean, from the north and north-west further south.
- Daily cycle
- Lighter in the morning, strengthening in the afternoon; sometimes blows for days without a break.
- Effect on deliveries
- On northbound routes it is on the nose; passages are planned for early mornings and days when it eases. Southbound, it is behind you.
Lodos and poyraz
- Lodos
- From the south-west; mostly autumn, winter and spring, with low pressure. Brings a short, steep sea and rain in the Marmara and northern Aegean.
- Poyraz
- From the north-east; strong in the cold season, decisive in the Marmara and the straits.
A general picture by month
- April-May: changeable weather; the busy period for pre-charter deliveries.
- June-September: meltemi season; northbound routes need care.
- October-November: meltemi eases, lodos and poyraz become more frequent; end-of-season deliveries.
- December-March: more frequent storms; deliveries only in a clear window.
Continue with this topic
- Greek islands: Meltemi and island hops.
How the meltemi behaves
The meltemi is the northerly wind of the Aegean summer. In the northern Aegean it blows mostly from the north-east; in the southern and eastern Aegean from the north or north-west. It usually strengthens in the afternoon and eases at night, but at times it blows without a break for days. It accelerates noticeably in the channels between islands and around headlands. For a boat heading south it is a following wind that eases the passage; for one heading north it is a hard beat.
Lodos
In the Marmara and northern Aegean it can bring a high sea and rain, and it puts boats moored in harbours open to the south-west at risk. The wind often backs to the north after a lodos; the sea can be confused during the change.
Poyraz
The poyraz is a cold north-easterly, felt especially in the Marmara and the Black Sea. In winter it can be hard and long-lasting.
Effect on planning
For a northbound delivery in the Aegean, months outside the meltemi season, or the morning hours when it is lighter, are preferred. For a southbound delivery the meltemi can be an advantage. For winter deliveries in the Marmara and northern Aegean, lodos and poyraz systems are followed closely.
Local effects
On mountainous coasts, wind can drop down valleys in sudden gusts; these are allowed for at anchor and in marinas.
Forecasts
The general pattern is a guide, not a forecast; each year and each week differ, and the actual window is chosen from current forecasts.
For surveys too
The same winds decide when a sea trial can be run; in meltemi season, trials are planned for the morning.
An afternoon blow can also skew trial readings, which is another reason to run them early.
Local sailors' knowledge fills in details no general pattern gives.
That knowledge is noted in the passage plan so it is not lost between trips.