Etesian winds (from Greek etēsíai, "annual"; also called meltemi in Turkish) are northerly or north-easterly winds blowing over the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean from June to September, peaking in July–August.
Origin and effects
They result from the contrast between high pressure over the Balkans and the thermal low over Turkey and Iran. Gusts reach 50–70 km/h, especially when funnelled between Greek islands. For sailors, they are both a blessing (cooling summer heat) and a hazard (high seas, difficult navigation). They are responsible for the dry, sunny weather of the Greek summer.