Commonly associated with the low passages in late autumn when SST is warm but air temperatures may be cool. May be constant for 24 hours. May occur with passing frontal systems. The port offers little protection from wind, but the inner harbor offers marginal protection from significant wave action. Port exposed to full force of wind from northeast clockwise through south.
Terrain lying south through west offers limited protection.
Blocks winds from northwest through north. Blocking effect frequently deflects a southeasterly wind and turns it northeasterly at Catania. Strong northwest or northly flow over the region will produce offshore flow at Catania and poses no problem for harbor operations. No strong wind effects at Catania for winds southwest clockwise through northwest. Near zero from south-southwest through north.