Weather Systems Affecting the Meteorological Conditions over the Aegean Sea

The meteorological conditions over the Aegean Sea are subjected to strong influences from the large-scale patterns of the general atmospheric circulation, the surrounding continents, the almost enclosed Mediterranean Sea, the complex topography and coastline, as well as the mesoscale and local phenomena imposed on the synoptic-scale atmospheric circulation. This chapter discusses the most important circulation patterns that affect the area determining not only the weather conditions but also the climatic characteristics. The discussion unravels seasonal and spatial characteristics of the weather and climate patterns giving also a particular emphasis on the formation of cyclones (cyclogenesis). The role of upper-air conditions and air-sea interaction is highlighted, especially demonstrating the remarkable patterns of explosive cyclones and Mediterranean tropical-like cyclones (medicanes). This chapter also provides a preliminary analysis of air temperature and precipitation over the Aegean Sea unveiling spatiotemporal variabilities and trends.