Mykonos is quite aptly nicknamed "the island of the winds". For six months a year, between October and March the island is constantly battered by winds. Over the summer, and especially August, fierce northern winds of roughly 25-30 knots prevail. That is 35 mph with near gale gusts of 50mph. They are known as meltémia or the etesiai (annual winds), and blow relentlessly during the day but cease when the temperature drops in the evening. In a year, Mykonos may only have about ten days of calm. The islanders successfully harnessed the bountiful power of the winds to bolster local industry.