Sailing know-how / Weather & safety / Mediterranean winds
Mediterranean winds
In the Mediterranean the winds have names, and each has its own character. Know them and you plan your legs better and get caught out less often.
Adriatic
- Maestral (NW)
- The summer wind of Dalmatia. Sets in around midday, blows force 3 to 5 and dies away in the evening. A sign of settled fine weather.
- Bora (NE)
- A cold, very gusty downslope wind from the mountains that can reach gale force within minutes. Warning signs: a roll of cloud on the peaks and suddenly clear, cool air.
- Jugo (SE)
- Warm and humid, builds over one or two days and brings long, high waves and often rain. Many harbours open to the south-east become uncomfortable.
Western Mediterranean
- Mistral (NW to N)
- Funnels down the Rhône valley into the Gulf of Lion, often force 6 to 8 under clear skies. Reaches Corsica and Sardinia and strengthens in the Strait of Bonifacio.
- Tramontana (N)
- Cold northerly over the Pyrenees and the Balearics. Makes Mallorca's north coast uncomfortable.
- Libeccio (SW)
- Humid and strong, especially on Corsica's west coast, with a big swell.
- Levante (E)
- Easterly on the Spanish coast and the Balearics, often with grey skies and a short sea.
From Africa
The scirocco (south-east) blows hot and dry out of the Sahara, picks up moisture over the sea and sometimes brings red dust. In the Adriatic it is called jugo.
Thermal winds
On many coasts a sea breeze develops in summer: the land heats up during the day, the air rises and cooler air flows in from the sea. It is strongest in the afternoon and turns into a light land breeze at night. That is why mornings are often calm and afternoons bring good sailing.
From my own experience
In Croatia I learned to take the bora seriously. Since then I look at the clouds over the mainland every morning and read the forecast twice. A quiet harbour day is better than an uncomfortable passage, and it often becomes the best day of the week.