Summer synopsis

A brief review


The synoptic condition in Greece during the summer seems simple. There is a tendency for a northern flow, due to the combination of high pressures in the west and low pressures in the overheated Near East.
A low pressure center in the Lebanon-Cyprus area is the main cause of the northern flow.
In the Aegean sea this northern flow is called "etesian" or "meltemi".




In a closer view, the "etesian" is driven by a trough of low pressure in the area of the Taurus mountain of Asia Minor.





Strong winds of the northern sector can prevail in the Aegean sea. They tend to fall during the night hours.





During the day, the Greek Peninsula has the tendency to build its own weather pattern.
A weak low pressure trough generates converging sea breezes.





Sea breezes are rather predictable around the mainland. They have their own peculiarities in the different gulfs and bays.
Coming inland, due to the high relief of the land, the sea breezes acquire different characteristics from place to place.





The interaction of the northern flow with the sea breeze pattern, can produce sea breeze fronts and local sea breeze cells.
These are highly interesting for all those who care about local weather (sailors, pilots of gliders, hang gliders and paragliders) and of course meteorologists.


The above images are produced daily, by the Skiron weather forecasting model of the University of Athens.
They are accessible through: http://forecast.uoa.gr