Levanter - Definition and Overview

The Levanter is an easterly wind that blows in the Western Mediterranean. The wind rises in the central Mediterranean or around the Balearic Islands and blows westwards reaching its greatest intensity through the Straight of Gibraltar. The winds a moist carrying fog and precipitation. The winds are well known for creating a particular cloud formation of above the Rock of Gibraltar. The Levanter winds can occur at any time in the year, but are most common from July to October.

The name of the wind pattern comes from the Levant, the perceived origin point of the winds. The opposite of the Levanter are the Poniente from the northwest and the Vendaval from the southwest.