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How do hot winds from the Sahara affect Mediterranean Sea surface water?

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Map of the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding regions, showing physical features such as sea basins and depths, major coastal cities, country boundaries, and islands. The map includes a small locator inset highlighting the Mediterranean area within Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Mediterranean Sea

Hot, dry winds originating from the Sahara—such as the sirocco, ghibli, or khamsin—significantly impact the Mediterranean Sea surface water through the process of evaporative cooling.1

As these winds traverse the sea, they reduce both the heat and moisture content of the surface waters. This cooling effect increases the density of the surface water, causing it to sink. Furthermore, the evaporation driven by these atmospheric conditions contributes to an increase in the salinity of the water within the Mediterranean basin.1