Prevailing Winds of Turkey: A Mariner's Guide

Turkey's geographical location subjects it to winds of distinct character across all four seasons. These winds directly influence maritime activities, voyage planning, and even daily life. Understanding winds based on their direction and formation causes is vital for safe navigation. Generally, northerly winds (Poyraz, Yıldız, Karayel) typically bring cool, dry, and clear weather, while southerly winds (Lodos, Kıble, Keşişleme) are harbingers of warm, humid, and often rainy/overcast conditions.

Northerly Winds: The Cool and Forceful Breaths

These winds generally form under the influence of high-pressure systems (extensions of the Siberian High or the Azores High). For mariners, they often mean "clean" air and good visibility, but they can be strong, especially in summer.

1. Poyraz (NE / Northeast)

Character: A steady, strong, and cold-dry wind. It can bring snow in winter and cools clear, hot summer air.

Area of Effect: Particularly influential in the Istanbul Strait and the Sea of Marmara. It creates a powerful opposing current in the Strait, complicating passage. It also blows in the Aegean as a component of the summer etesians.

2. Yıldız (N / North)

Character: A wind blowing directly from the north, often relatively shorter-lived and less severe than Poyraz or Karayel.

Area of Effect: Affects the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. It increases wave height in the Black Sea.

3. Karayel (NW / Northwest)

Character: A cold, dry, and fast wind. It usually brings clear and cold air in its wake. It appears after snowfall in winter. In summer, it can blow suddenly and violently as storm gusts ("Thundery Karayel") during convective (thundery) weather; this scenario is one of the most dangerous for mariners.

Area of Effect: Affects all our western and northwestern coasts, especially at the exit of the Çanakkale Strait and in the Aegean Sea.

Southerly Winds: The Warm and Restless Breaths

These winds form under the influence of low-pressure systems (particularly those developing over the Mediterranean). As they carry warm, humid Mediterranean air northwards, they bring unrest to the sea and precipitation to land.

1. Lodos (SW / Southwest)

Character: The most dangerous and unsettling wind of the winter season. Its speed can reach gale and storm force (Force 8-9) and beyond. It is warm and moisture-laden. The saying "Lodos has teary eyes" signifies that rain (often snow/rain with northerly winds) will certainly follow.

Area of Effect & Danger: Creates very high, short-period, and irregular waves in the open seas and south-facing bays of the Marmara, Aegean, and Mediterranean. It causes unrest even in harbors and can lead to anchor dragging. Its effect is very limited in the Black Sea.

2. Kıble (S / South)

Character: A wind blowing directly from the south, warm and humid. It does not blow as frequently or severely as Lodos but has similar effects.

Area of Effect: Creates waves in the southern bays of the Mediterranean and Aegean.

3. Keşişleme (SE / Southeast)

Character: A hot, dry, and dusty wind. This wind originating from Africa and desert regions can carry "desert dust," especially in spring.

Area of Effect: More effective in the Mediterranean and Southeastern Anatolia.

Seasonal Distribution and Important Warnings for Mariners

Summer Season (May - September)

Prevailing Winds: Northerlies, especially the steady and strong Poyraz/Yıldız winds known as Etesians.

Etesians: A thermally-driven system resulting from high pressure extending from the Azores and low pressure extending to the Persian Gulf. They are regular, long-lasting winds that intensify in the afternoon in the Aegean Sea (Force 6-7, locally 8). They affect the Sea of Marmara similarly.

Greatest Danger: Sudden Thunderstorms (Cumulonimbus / Squalls). In summer, heated air from inland areas meeting cool sea winds causes severe convection. This results in dangerous storms with sudden wind shifts, speeds potentially surging to 40-50 knots, accompanied by heavy showers and hail ("Thundery Karayel"). They must be monitored by radar, and a sheltered port/cove should be sought immediately upon sighting dark clouds.

Lodos: Severe Lodos is almost non-existent in summer.

Winter Season (October - April)

Prevailing Winds: Variable, but the most dangerous ones are the southerlies.

Greatest Danger: Severe Lodos. Winter low-pressure systems passing through, combined with a long fetch (the distance over water the wind blows), can create waves up to 4-6 meters in the Marmara and Aegean. The sea state remains rough for hours or even days after the wind subsides.

Northerlies: They also blow in winter and usually follow Lodos. They cool and clear the air but create their own severe sea state in the Black Sea and the straits.

Eastern and Western Winds

Gündoğusu (E / East) and Günbatısı (W / West): These are not persistent or very severe prevailing winds around Turkey's seas. They blow briefly, mostly associated with passing local pressure systems. Günbatısı can bring precipitation to Western Anatolia.

Conclusion and Advice for Mariners

1. Know the Season: Be prepared for Etesians and sudden thunderstorm risks in summer voyages, and primarily for Lodos and the prolonged rough sea state it creates in winter voyages.

2. Use Local Knowledge: Every region (Istanbul Strait, Çanakkale, Gökova, etc.) has its own wind and current traps. Always seek information from local mariners and pilot guides.

3. Do Not Neglect Weather Forecasts: Before setting sail, examine detailed weather and sea state reports from at least two different sources (TSMS, Windy, PassageWeather, etc.). "Navigation by sight" is insufficient for winter Lodos or summer thunderstorms.

4. Maintain Caution Even in Harbor: During Lodos and strong northerly winds, ensure your anchor will not drag and your mooring lines are sufficiently long and reinforced, even in harbor.

Remember, safe navigation in Turkish seas comes from knowing the character and seasonal behavior of the prevailing winds well and respecting them.