Winds of Bushehr and the Persian Gulf

The people of Bushehr's coast once measured the sea's working calendar by the wind. First learn the two autumn winds of Helileh and do not confuse them; then see the other winds of the Persian Gulf with their time spans and sources.

Mild
23–28Mehr≈ 15–20 Oct

Lakizab (Lachizab)

Also known as: Lakizab, Lachizab (Lapchezab), the “deceiving wind”

A sudden, short-lived wind that resembles Limehr but is milder — which is why it is called the “deceiving wind” and is sometimes mistaken for Limehr.

Tip: It blows briefly and dies down quickly; Limehr lasts longer and stirs the sea for several days.

The Mehr dates come from the account of Helileh locals; the written source (Kenin) lists a similar wind, named “Lapchezab / Alkizab / Gol-zan”, on 15–25 Aban.

Strong
23–28Aban≈ 14–19 Nov

Limehr (Limar, Lahimar)

Also known as: Limehr, Limar, Lahimar, Lahimar

One of the best-known winds of the Bushehr coast and a sign that the heat is over and the year's cold is beginning. In the sailors' account it is the “red wind”, coming from the direction of Arabia. The main blow lasts about a week, raising high waves and muddying the water; after it dies down, fishing is usually good.

Tip: Vertical clouds and a sudden change in the weather are seen before it blows. Stay off the sea for the first two or three days; after it subsides the sea is usually rich in fish.

The 23–28 Aban dates come from the account of Helileh locals; written sources (Kenin and sea captains) put its start around 15 Aban and into the second half of Aban, and it shifts from year to year.

Winds through the year

Pirzan (Bard al-Ajuz)
Shomal Tarazu
Summer shamal (Barih)
Lakizab (Lachizab)
Limehr (Limar, Lahimar)
Kaus (Qaws, south-easterly)
Winter shamal
Suhaili (south-westerly)
Tobiyeh

Calendar of the year

Calendar of the year
DateWindAbout
Farvardin
10≈ 30 Mar – 2 AprPirzan (Bard al-Ajuz) Local wind
10–13 Farvardin

The first wind of the warm season; it is not strong and is good for fishing.

Khordad
3≈ 24 MayShomal Tarazu Local wind
About 3 Khordad

Blows about 65 days after Nowruz; fairly mild, and it matters a lot for fishing.

11≈ 1 Jun – 15 JulSummer shamal (Barih) Local wind
11 Khordad – 24 Tir

A dry north-westerly wind that blows almost continuously through Khordad and part of Tir, sometimes carrying dust from the Mesopotamian deserts. It is mostly calm to moderate; studies show it disrupts the sea-breeze pattern in Bushehr.

Mehr
23≈ 15–20 OctLakizab (Lachizab) Local wind
23–28 Mehr

A sudden, short-lived wind that resembles Limehr but is milder — which is why it is called the “deceiving wind” and is sometimes mistaken for Limehr.

Aban
23≈ 14–19 NovLimehr (Limar, Lahimar) Local wind
23–28 Aban

One of the best-known winds of the Bushehr coast and a sign that the heat is over and the year's cold is beginning. In the sailors' account it is the “red wind”, coming from the direction of Arabia. The main blow lasts about a week, raising high waves and muddying the water; after it dies down, fishing is usually good.

Azar
10≈ 1 Dec – 20 AprKaus (Qaws, south-easterly) Local wind
10 Azar – 31 Farvardin

A south-easterly winter wind that alternates with the shamal between Azar and Farvardin. It lasts less than three days, makes the weather overcast and rainy, and sometimes brings thunder and lightning.

10≈ 1 Dec – 20 MarWinter shamal Local wind
10 Azar – 29 Esfand

Blows after a cold air mass passes from the north; it usually lasts one to five days and returns every few days in winter. It makes the sea choppy and is sometimes accompanied by showers and thunderstorms.

Dey
1≈ 22 Dec – 20 MarSuhaili (south-westerly) Local wind
1 Dey – 29 Esfand

A rare winter wind that blows for a few hours and often follows Kaus. It brings rain, preceded by southern clouds and lightning, and unsettles coastal anchorages.

Bahman
20≈ 9–19 FebTobiyeh Local wind
20–30 Bahman

The last big northerly wind of the year; cold and accompanied by thunder and lightning. Captains go out to sea less often on these days.

The dates of the local winds follow the accounts of sailors and shift by a few days each year. Check the marine weather warning before going to sea. Gregorian dates are approximate.

The information on Kaus, Suhaili and the shamal covers the whole Persian Gulf, not only Bushehr.

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