Does the extension of the Azores' anticyclone towards the Balkans really exist?

Abstract

In this paper the so-called extention of the Azores" anticyclone towards the Balkans and Greece is studied by means of the synoptic evolution of mean charts for m.s.l., thickness, 500 mb and their anomalies. The period under consideration is the twelve years from 1961 through 1972 for the two month interval July-August, which is the main season of the occurrence of the Etesian winds over the eastern Greek seas having their existing in the combination Of the Balkans high pressure and the permanent low pressure system over the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The synoptic evolution of the above mentioned charts proved that the mobile anticyclones or the wedges of the Greek area, seemingly form one common system with the Azores' anticyclone but their generating factors are different from these of the Azores' permanent anticyclone which implies that the term "extension" should not be used. Zusammenfassung Findet eine Ausdehnung des Azorenhochs bis zum Balkan tats~chlich statt?In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird die synoptische Entwicklung der sogenannten Ausdehnung des Azorenhochs bis zum Balkan und Griechenland untersucht. Dazu dienen Kartendarstellungen for mittlere Verh/iltnisse im Boden-nnd 500 mb-Niveau mit den dazugeh6rigen relativen Topographien. Die Untersuchungsperiode erstreckt sich auf zw61f Jahre fur die ausgew~hlten Monate Juli und August. Zu dieser Zeit treten am h~iufigsten die Etesien tiber der )ig~iis auf, die ihre Existenz dem hohen Druck tiber dem Balkan und dem tiefen tiber dem 6stlichen Mittelmeer verdanken. Die synoptische Entwicklung zeigt, dat~ gemeinsam mit dem stationiiren Azorenhoch wandemde Antizyklonen bzw. Hochdruckkeile fiber Griechenland auftreten, deren Bildung und Entwicklung sich aber yon der des Azorenhochs unterscheidet. Es sollte daher der Ausdmck ,,Ausdehnung" des Azorenhochs vermieden werden.

Climate change impact of wind energy availability in the Eastern Mediterranean using the regional climate model PRECIS

“…The relatively dry and cool air masses regularly originate from the region of southern Russia and the Black Sea contributing to the decrease of surface temperature and the moderation of summer heat and discomfort (Weather in the Mediterranean, 1962;Metaxas and Bartzokas, 1994;Kotroni et al, 2001). The Etesian winds result from a combination of the monsoon effect that leads to the formation of a thermal low pressure trough over Turkey, with higher pressures over Southern Balkans (Weather in the Mediterranean, 1962;Prezerakos, 1984). In the current climate the maximum frequency of Etesian winds occurs during July and August (Prezerakos, 1984).…”

“…The Etesian winds result from a combination of the monsoon effect that leads to the formation of a thermal low pressure trough over Turkey, with higher pressures over Southern Balkans (Weather in the Mediterranean, 1962;Prezerakos, 1984). In the current climate the maximum frequency of Etesian winds occurs during July and August (Prezerakos, 1984). The increase of the winds in the future climate during September could be related to the extension of the period of prevalence of the thermal low over Turkey up to September leading to the occurrence of Etesian winds also during this month.…”

The summer circulation over the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East: influence of the South Asian monsoon

“…1b), known in the Aegean Sea region as the Etesians (HMSO 1962;Metaxas 1977;Maheras 1980;Prezerakos 1984;Reddaway and Bigg 1996;Zecchetto and de Biasio 2007;Chronis et al 2011). The ventilating effect of the Etesians counteracts the adiabatic warming induced by large scale subsidence especially over the central and eastern Mediterranean ), which inhibits cloud formation and convection, resulting in a prolonged summer dry period.…”

The factors governing the summer regime of the eastern Mediterranean

“…As a combined result of the Persian trough and the subtropical anticyclone of the Atlantic (Azores), northwesterly winds, known as the Etesian winds (e.g. Air Ministry Meteorological Office, 1962;Metaxas, 1977;Prezerakos, 1984), blow over the EM. The Etesian winds yield a continual cool advection from eastern Europe and the Mediterranean into the Levant, as seen in the average seasonal 850 hPa temperature and wind fields (Figure 2).…”