Long-Term Variability of Wind Speed and Direction in the Mediterranean Basin

In this work, the ERA5 reanalysis dataset, with its fine spatial and temporal resolution, is used to study wind speed direction characteristics in Mediterranean basin from 1979 2020. Their variability, trend mean values, as well their association, are examined monthly, annual interannual/decadal time scales. The long-term variability of assessed using angular variance, while interannual for speed. most characteristic constant flow systems appear Gulf Lion (Mistral) Aegean Sea during summer (Etesian winds). maximizes northern part basin, western appears have variable directions, fastest increasing speeds southwestern Levantine sub-basin. linear mean, 95th 99th quantiles number occurrences extreme events been also assessed. For particular areas, there an tendency both intensity frequency occurrence events. ?he linear-circular correlation coefficient has implemented order quantify association between This parameter demonstrates higher values Mistral Etesian winds summer. Finally, comparison results ERA-Interim highlighted significant differences characteristics.