Greece's Köppen Climate Types Map Hylke et al. (2018)

The climate in Greece is predominantly Mediterranean. However, due to the country's geography, Greece has a wide range of micro-climates and local variations. The Greek mainland is extremely mountainous, making Greece one of the most mountainous countries in Europe.[1][2] To the west of the Pindus mountain range, the climate is generally wetter and has some maritime features. The east of the Pindus mountain range is generally drier and windier in summer. The highest peak is Mount Olympus, 2,918 metres (9,573 ft).[3] The northern areas of Greece have a transitional climate between the continental, the Mediterranean and the humid subtropical climate. There are mountainous areas that have an alpine climate. Also, various areas of Greece have semi-arid climates.[4][5]

Mediterranean climate

The climate of Greece can be divided into the following Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification: Cs) subtypes:

"True" Mediterranean

According to the Climate Atlas of Greece which was published by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (H.N.M.S) the Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification: Csa) is the predominant climate found in Greece.[6] This climate occurs in the North Aegean islands, some of the Cyclades and most of the Dodecanese, Evia, some low-lying areas of Attica, the Ionian Islands and most of the western coast of the country, the eastern and southern low-lying Peloponnese areas, and the low-lying areas of Crete. During the summer, the weather is most frequently sunny and dry, and any precipitation falls in the form of showers or thunderstorms from cumuliform clouds. The air is usually hot during the day and pleasantly warm at night, but there are some very windy days, especially in the Cyclades islands and around them. Heatwaves may occur, but they are usually quite mild at the coastal areas, where temperatures are moderated by the relatively cooler sea and the sea breeze. Winters are wet and any snow that falls does not last long, especially in the south-facing slopes. Rain in winter is often persistent: The west areas of this climate zone receive a relatively higher amount of precipitation. Warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Csb) exists in roughly the same areas but in higher elevations (>1,000 m.), such as mount Parnitha in Attica.

Climate data for Downtown Athens (1991–2020), Extremes (1890–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 22.6
(72.7)		 25.3
(77.5)		 28.2
(82.8)		 32.2
(90.0)		 37.6
(99.7)		 44.8
(112.6)		 42.8
(109.0)		 43.9
(111.0)		 38.7
(101.7)		 36.5
(97.7)		 30.5
(86.9)		 22.9
(73.2)		 44.8
(112.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 13.3
(55.9)		 14.2
(57.6)		 17.0
(62.6)		 21.1
(70.0)		 26.5
(79.7)		 31.6
(88.9)		 34.3
(93.7)		 34.3
(93.7)		 30.6
(87.1)		 24.4
(75.9)		 18.9
(66.0)		 14.4
(57.9)		 23.3
(73.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 10.2
(50.4)		 10.8
(51.4)		 13.1
(55.6)		 16.7
(62.1)		 21.8
(71.2)		 26.6
(79.9)		 29.3
(84.7)		 29.4
(84.9)		 25.0
(77.0)		 20.3
(68.5)		 15.6
(60.1)		 11.6
(52.9)		 19.2
(66.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 7.1
(44.8)		 7.3
(45.1)		 9.2
(48.6)		 12.3
(54.1)		 17.0
(62.6)		 21.6
(70.9)		 24.2
(75.6)		 24.4
(75.9)		 20.4
(68.7)		 16.2
(61.2)		 12.2
(54.0)		 8.7
(47.7)		 15.0
(59.0)
Record low °C (°F) −6.5
(20.3)		 −5.7
(21.7)		 −2.6
(27.3)		 1.7
(35.1)		 6.2
(43.2)		 11.8
(53.2)		 16
(61)		 15.5
(59.9)		 8.9
(48.0)		 5.9
(42.6)		 −1.1
(30.0)		 −4.0
(24.8)		 −6.5
(20.3)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 55.6
(2.19)		 44.4
(1.75)		 45.6
(1.80)		 27.6
(1.09)		 20.7
(0.81)		 11.6
(0.46)		 10.7
(0.42)		 5.4
(0.21)		 25.8
(1.02)		 38.6
(1.52)		 70.8
(2.79)		 76.3
(3.00)		 433.1
(17.06)
Average relative humidity (%) 72.0 70.0 66.0 60.0 56.0 50.0 42.0 47.0 57.0 66.0 72.0 73.0 60.9
Source 1: Cosmos, scientific magazine of the National Observatory of Athens[7]
Source 2: Meteoclub[8][9]
Climate data for Araxos, Patras (1955–2010) 11 m. asl
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 13.8
(56.8)		 14.2
(57.6)		 16.1
(61.0)		 19.3
(66.7)		 24.2
(75.6)		 28.5
(83.3)		 33.3
(91.9)		 33.6
(92.5)		 29.0
(84.2)		 23.5
(74.3)		 18.9
(66.0)		 15.2
(59.4)		 22.1
(71.8)
Daily mean °C (°F) 10.2
(50.4)		 10.5
(50.9)		 12.3
(54.1)		 15.4
(59.7)		 20.0
(68.0)		 24.3
(75.7)		 26.9
(80.4)		 27.0
(80.6)		 23.4
(74.1)		 19.1
(66.4)		 14.8
(58.6)		 11.6
(52.9)		 18.0
(64.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 6.2
(43.2)		 6.3
(43.3)		 7.6
(45.7)		 9.8
(49.6)		 13.3
(55.9)		 16.8
(62.2)		 19.0
(66.2)		 19.8
(67.6)		 17.2
(63.0)		 14.2
(57.6)		 10.6
(51.1)		 7.8
(46.0)		 12.4
(54.3)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 93.2
(3.67)		 78.7
(3.10)		 61.8
(2.43)		 43.6
(1.72)		 20.1
(0.79)		 8.6
(0.34)		 4.1
(0.16)		 5.9
(0.23)		 33.1
(1.30)		 83.8
(3.30)		 129.9
(5.11)		 121.2
(4.77)		 684.0
(26.93)
Average rainy days 13.7 12.4 11.6 9.1 6.0 2.6 0.9 1.2 5.1 9.4 12.6 15.9 100.5
Source: Hellenic National Meteorological Service[10]

Alpine Mediterranean

In this climate type (Köppen climate classification: Csc) with much lower temperatures, the winter is harsh with abundant snowfalls, while the summers are cool with occasional thunderstorms. This climate is to be found on high mountains, like in the Pindus and Rhodope mountains, and predominantly the higher elevations of the mountains of Crete.[11]

Transitional continental - Mediterranean

This climate is classified as between humid subtropical and continental (Köppen climate classification: Cfa and Dfa) with strong characteristics of both the continental and Mediterranean climate.

Climate data for Florina (1961–2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 18.0
(64.4)		 23.0
(73.4)		 25.8
(78.4)		 31.2
(88.2)		 33.8
(92.8)		 39.0
(102.2)		 40.8
(105.4)		 38.6
(101.5)		 36.0
(96.8)		 32.2
(90.0)		 26.6
(79.9)		 21.0
(69.8)		 40.8
(105.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 4.7
(40.5)		 7.4
(45.3)		 12.0
(53.6)		 16.8
(62.2)		 22.0
(71.6)		 26.4
(79.5)		 29.0
(84.2)		 29.0
(84.2)		 24.7
(76.5)		 19.0
(66.2)		 12.2
(54.0)		 5.9
(42.6)		 17.4
(63.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) 0.6
(33.1)		 2.8
(37.0)		 7.0
(44.6)		 11.7
(53.1)		 16.9
(62.4)		 21.1
(70.0)		 23.4
(74.1)		 22.8
(73.0)		 18.2
(64.8)		 12.9
(55.2)		 7.2
(45.0)		 2.0
(35.6)		 12.2
(54.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −3.1
(26.4)		 −1.7
(28.9)		 1.5
(34.7)		 5.4
(41.7)		 9.5
(49.1)		 12.8
(55.0)		 14.8
(58.6)		 14.7
(58.5)		 11.4
(52.5)		 7.1
(44.8)		 2.6
(36.7)		 −1.8
(28.8)		 6.1
(43.0)
Record low °C (°F) −25.1
(−13.2)		 −23.0
(−9.4)		 −13.6
(7.5)		 −5.0
(23.0)		 0.0
(32.0)		 2.4
(36.3)		 6.6
(43.9)		 4.0
(39.2)		 −1.4
(29.5)		 −5.0
(23.0)		 −12.6
(9.3)		 −18.6
(−1.5)		 −25.1
(−13.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 56.8
(2.24)		 51.1
(2.01)		 57.8
(2.28)		 60.4
(2.38)		 59.4
(2.34)		 37.3
(1.47)		 33.9
(1.33)		 30.6
(1.20)		 50.1
(1.97)		 69.2
(2.72)		 71.3
(2.81)		 85.6
(3.37)		 663.5
(26.12)
Average precipitation days 11.0 10.6 11.1 10.6 10.7 7.2 5.5 5.3 6.5 7.6 9.7 11.8 107.6
Average snowy days 7.5 6.3 4.5 0.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 1.8 5.9 27.1
Average relative humidity (%) 81.2 76.4 68.8 63.2 62.8 58.6 55.4 56.9 63.3 71.4 77.8 81.7 68.1
Source: Hellenic National Meteorological Service [12]

Semi-arid climate

Hot semi-arid climate in Greece according to the National Observatory of Athens.

According to the Climate Atlas of Greece published by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service and the network of the National Observatory of Athens, a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification: BSh) is found primarily in Piraeus and much of the Athens Riviera, areas of West Attica (Aspropyrgos, Salamina, Vlychada) and the Gulf of Corinth, most of the Cyclades, some islands of the Argo-Saronic Gulf (Aigina, Hydra), some areas of Crete (Lentas, Moni Toplou) and some islands of the Dodecanese (Kasos, Nisyros, Karpathos).[4][5]

Cold semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification: BSk) is found in various areas of Macedonia and Thessaly, including the city of Thessaloniki, the second largest in Greece.[6]

Climate data for Piraeus Hellenic National Meteorological Service (1981-2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 14.1
(57.4)		 14.4
(57.9)		 16.6
(61.9)		 20.3
(68.5)		 25.1
(77.2)		 29.9
(85.8)		 32.8
(91.0)		 32.9
(91.2)		 29.1
(84.4)		 24.2
(75.6)		 18.9
(66.0)		 15.4
(59.7)		 22.81
(73.06)
Daily mean °C (°F) 11.1
(52.0)		 11.2
(52.2)		 13.3
(55.9)		 16.9
(62.4)		 21.4
(70.5)		 26.3
(79.3)		 29.0
(84.2)		 28.8
(83.8)		 25.2
(77.4)		 20.6
(69.1)		 15.8
(60.4)		 12.6
(54.7)		 19.35
(66.83)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 8.2
(46.8)		 7.9
(46.2)		 10.0
(50.0)		 13.4
(56.1)		 17.7
(63.9)		 22.2
(72.0)		 24.8
(76.6)		 25.0
(77.0)		 21.5
(70.7)		 17.4
(63.3)		 12.9
(55.2)		 9.7
(49.5)		 15.89
(60.60)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 41.95
(1.65)		 36.26
(1.43)		 34.09
(1.34)		 30.34
(1.19)		 15.95
(0.63)		 5.08
(0.20)		 5.56
(0.22)		 3.07
(0.12)		 11.37
(0.45)		 30.5
(1.20)		 58.87
(2.32)		 58.84
(2.32)		 331.9
(13.07)
Source: National Technical University of Athens[13]
Climate data for Aristotle University of Thessaloniki 32 m asl, 1991 – 2020 normals (extremes 1930-present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 22.5
(72.5)		 25.1
(77.2)		 30.1
(86.2)		 32.2
(90.0)		 37.8
(100.0)		 41.2
(106.2)		 43.3
(109.9)		 41.6
(106.9)		 40.3
(104.5)		 33.4
(92.1)		 28.1
(82.6)		 24.4
(75.9)		 43.3
(109.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 10.6
(51.1)		 12.4
(54.3)		 15.6
(60.1)		 19.7
(67.5)		 25.2
(77.4)		 30.0
(86.0)		 32.3
(90.1)		 32.3
(90.1)		 27.8
(82.0)		 22.1
(71.8)		 16.6
(61.9)		 11.8
(53.2)		 21.4
(70.5)
Daily mean °C (°F) 7.0
(44.6)		 8.4
(47.1)		 11.2
(52.2)		 14.9
(58.8)		 20.0
(68.0)		 24.7
(76.5)		 27.0
(80.6)		 27.1
(80.8)		 22.7
(72.9)		 17.7
(63.9)		 12.8
(55.0)		 8.3
(46.9)		 16.8
(62.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 3.4
(38.1)		 4.4
(39.9)		 6.8
(44.2)		 10.1
(50.2)		 14.9
(58.8)		 19.4
(66.9)		 21.8
(71.2)		 21.9
(71.4)		 17.6
(63.7)		 13.4
(56.1)		 9.0
(48.2)		 4.9
(40.8)		 12.3
(54.1)
Record low °C (°F) −12.6
(9.3)		 −8.9
(16.0)		 −8.2
(17.2)		 −0.4
(31.3)		 5.2
(41.4)		 8.6
(47.5)		 12.0
(53.6)		 10.3
(50.5)		 7.7
(45.9)		 1.4
(34.5)		 −2.8
(27.0)		 −8.2
(17.2)		 −12.6
(9.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 34.1
(1.34)		 33.6
(1.32)		 39.5
(1.56)		 37.5
(1.48)		 51.0
(2.01)		 31.6
(1.24)		 27.0
(1.06)		 25.1
(0.99)		 37.4
(1.47)		 43.7
(1.72)		 40.9
(1.61)		 48.2
(1.90)		 449.6
(17.7)
Source: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki,[14][15] World Meteorological Organization[16]

Temperature

  • Abs. minimum temperature: −27.8 °C (−18.0 °F), Ptolemaida[17]
  • Abs. maximum temperature: 48.0 °C (118.4 °F), Elefsina

Various areas of the country have registered temperatures over 46.0 °C (114.8 °F) and below −21.0 °C (−5.8 °F). The 48.0 °C (118.4 °F) recorded by minimum/maximum thermometers in Tatoi and Elefsina on 10 July 1977 as reported by a communication of Dr. Athanasios D. Sarantopoulos was also the WMO record high temperature for Europe until 11 August 2021 (44 years).[18][19] Average annual temperatures in Greece range from around +4 °C (39 °F) in Kaimaktsalan up to almost +22 °C (72 °F) [20] in Lindos. Summer average highs in Greece can reach up to 36.0 °C (96.8 °F) in Sparta within the Evrotas Valley. However, since Greece is generally a mountainous country, real average temperatures vary considerably from region to region.

Climate data for Lindos (2010-2019), Extremes (2014-present), 65 m asl
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 21.9
(71.4)		 24.8
(76.6)		 24.5
(76.1)		 32.4
(90.3)		 36.2
(97.2)		 43.2
(109.8)		 42.7
(108.9)		 43.1
(109.6)		 39.8
(103.6)		 37.9
(100.2)		 27.2
(81.0)		 22.5
(72.5)		 43.2
(109.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 15.8
(60.4)		 17.2
(63.0)		 19.0
(66.2)		 22.6
(72.7)		 26.6
(79.9)		 31.7
(89.1)		 35.1
(95.2)		 35.0
(95.0)		 31.5
(88.7)		 26.6
(79.9)		 21.9
(71.4)		 17.9
(64.2)		 25.1
(77.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) 13.2
(55.8)		 14.6
(58.3)		 16.2
(61.2)		 19.2
(66.6)		 23.0
(73.4)		 27.9
(82.2)		 31.2
(88.2)		 31.3
(88.3)		 28.0
(82.4)		 23.6
(74.5)		 19.2
(66.6)		 15.3
(59.5)		 21.9
(71.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 10.6
(51.1)		 11.9
(53.4)		 13.4
(56.1)		 15.7
(60.3)		 19.4
(66.9)		 24.0
(75.2)		 27.3
(81.1)		 27.6
(81.7)		 24.5
(76.1)		 20.5
(68.9)		 16.5
(61.7)		 12.6
(54.7)		 18.7
(65.7)
Record low °C (°F) 1.1
(34.0)		 3.3
(37.9)		 3.1
(37.6)		 9.4
(48.9)		 13.8
(56.8)		 16.8
(62.2)		 21.1
(70.0)		 24.0
(75.2)		 16.3
(61.3)		 13.1
(55.6)		 10.5
(50.9)		 4.3
(39.7)		 1.1
(34.0)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 109
(4.3)		 80
(3.1)		 50
(2.0)		 16
(0.6)		 14
(0.6)		 2
(0.1)		 3
(0.1)		 0
(0)		 9
(0.4)		 24
(0.9)		 83
(3.3)		 72
(2.8)		 462
(18.2)
Source 1: National Observatory of Athens[21][22]
Source 2: World Meteorological Organization[23]
Climate data for Kaimaktsalan Ski Center 2090 m a.s.l (2008-2023)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 9.4
(48.9)		 11.0
(51.8)		 10.3
(50.5)		 18.0
(64.4)		 21.3
(70.3)		 23.1
(73.6)		 25.5
(77.9)		 24.6
(76.3)		 21.3
(70.3)		 17.4
(63.3)		 14.1
(57.4)		 11.3
(52.3)		 25.5
(77.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −1.8
(28.8)		 −1.0
(30.2)		 0.8
(33.4)		 4.4
(39.9)		 9.5
(49.1)		 13.6
(56.5)		 16.7
(62.1)		 16.6
(61.9)		 12.4
(54.3)		 7.9
(46.2)		 4.6
(40.3)		 0.1
(32.2)		 7.0
(44.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) −4.2
(24.4)		 −3.6
(25.5)		 −1.9
(28.6)		 1.8
(35.2)		 6.5
(43.7)		 10.5
(50.9)		 13.2
(55.8)		 13.1
(55.6)		 9.3
(48.7)		 5.1
(41.2)		 2.1
(35.8)		 −2.3
(27.9)		 4.1
(39.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −6.6
(20.1)		 −6.2
(20.8)		 −4.5
(23.9)		 −0.9
(30.4)		 3.5
(38.3)		 7.3
(45.1)		 9.6
(49.3)		 9.6
(49.3)		 6.2
(43.2)		 2.3
(36.1)		 −0.5
(31.1)		 −4.7
(23.5)		 1.3
(34.3)
Record low °C (°F) −20.8
(−5.4)		 −20.0
(−4.0)		 −19.1
(−2.4)		 −11.3
(11.7)		 −4.6
(23.7)		 −0.6
(30.9)		 2.6
(36.7)		 1.7
(35.1)		 −4.5
(23.9)		 −10.0
(14.0)		 −12.1
(10.2)		 −16.9
(1.6)		 −20.8
(−5.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 89.7
(3.53)		 57.6
(2.27)		 58.8
(2.31)		 63.5
(2.50)		 99.2
(3.91)		 90.6
(3.57)		 32.6
(1.28)		 59.6
(2.35)		 74.6
(2.94)		 89.0
(3.50)		 113.1
(4.45)		 88.4
(3.48)		 916.7
(36.09)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 9.1 8.4 8.9 9.4 10.5 9.4 5.4 5.9 8.1 6.7 7.1 8.6 97.4
Source 1: National Observatory of Athens Monthly Bulletins (Feb 2008 - Sep 2023) [24]
Source 2: Kaimaktsalan N.O.A station [25] and World Meteorological Organization[26]
Climate data for Sparta (2009–2023)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 23.5
(74.3)		 26.4
(79.5)		 27.2
(81.0)		 34.1
(93.4)		 40.7
(105.3)		 44.4
(111.9)		 44.2
(111.6)		 45.7
(114.3)		 40.3
(104.5)		 36.4
(97.5)		 30.8
(87.4)		 23.5
(74.3)		 45.7
(114.3)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 14.3
(57.7)		 15.9
(60.6)		 18.4
(65.1)		 22.8
(73.0)		 27.8
(82.0)		 32.5
(90.5)		 36.0
(96.8)		 35.9
(96.6)		 31.3
(88.3)		 25.3
(77.5)		 20.1
(68.2)		 15.9
(60.6)		 24.7
(76.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) 8.7
(47.7)		 9.9
(49.8)		 12.0
(53.6)		 15.4
(59.7)		 20.0
(68.0)		 24.6
(76.3)		 27.7
(81.9)		 27.7
(81.9)		 23.8
(74.8)		 18.5
(65.3)		 13.9
(57.0)		 10.1
(50.2)		 17.7
(63.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 3.0
(37.4)		 3.9
(39.0)		 5.6
(42.1)		 8.0
(46.4)		 12.2
(54.0)		 16.7
(62.1)		 19.5
(67.1)		 19.6
(67.3)		 16.4
(61.5)		 11.8
(53.2)		 7.8
(46.0)		 4.4
(39.9)		 10.7
(51.3)
Record low °C (°F) −5.3
(22.5)		 −4.2
(24.4)		 −4.6
(23.7)		 −0.7
(30.7)		 6.2
(43.2)		 9.4
(48.9)		 14.2
(57.6)		 13.1
(55.6)		 9.1
(48.4)		 1.5
(34.7)		 −1.7
(28.9)		 −5.2
(22.6)		 −5.3
(22.5)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 124.0
(4.88)		 81.4
(3.20)		 62.4
(2.46)		 33.1
(1.30)		 24.8
(0.98)		 35.3
(1.39)		 11.9
(0.47)		 19.0
(0.75)		 52.2
(2.06)		 61.5
(2.42)		 84.4
(3.32)		 93.8
(3.69)		 683.8
(26.92)
Source: National Observatory of Athens (Feb 2009 - Oct 2023),[21][22]
Sparta N.O.A station,[27] World Meteorological Organization[28]

Based on mean absolute minimum temperatures, plant hardiness zones in Greece vary from 6a to 11a.[29] Downtown Athens falls in 10a zone while the Athens Riviera falls mostly in 10b zone.[22] Thessaloniki straddles 9a/9b zones while areas in Macedonia may reach up to 10a zone (Great Lavra).[22] Zone 11a can be found in the Dodecanese, Crete, Cyclades and the Argo-Saronic Gulf, while Monemvasia in mainland Greece also falls in 11a zone.[29][22] According to the Gouvas formula which adjusted USDA[30] plant hardiness zones for Greece, Kasos falls in 11b zone.[31][22]

The table below provides USDA hardiness zones for selected areas from the data of the National Observatory of Athens.

City Zone
Kasos[32][33]11a
Kastellorizo[34][33]11a
Lindos[35][33]11a
Lentas[36][33]11a
Palaiochora[37][33]11a
Falasarna[38][33]11a
Heraklion Port [39][33]11a
Plakias [40][33]11a
Amorgos[41][33]11a
Nisyros[42][33]11a
Hydra[43][33]11a
Monemvasia[44][33]11a
Koufonisia[45][33]11a
Patmos[46][33]11a
Spetses[47][33]11a
Sitia[48][33]11a
Naxos[49][33]10b
Patras Port [50][33]10b
Lavrio[51][33]10b
Nea Smyrni[52][33]10b
Palaio Faliro[53][33]10b
Gazi, Athens[54][33]10a
Kifissia[55][33]10a
Arta[56][33]10a
Great Lavra[57][33]10a
Kalamaria[58][33]9b
Ippokrateios Politeia [59][33]9a
Nemea[60][33]9a
Serres[61][33]8b
Alexandroupolis[62][33]8b
Kaimaktsalan[63][33]7a
Vathystalo [64][33]6a

Heatwaves

In 2021, the government officials announced that they are considering giving the heatwaves names that could help people better prepare for more extreme heat[65] after the longest and most intense heat wave in recorded history affected the country from 26 July to 10 August of that year, during which many records that stood for decades broke.[66] Other notable heatwaves include the 2007 European heat wave as well as that of July 1987.[67]

In July 2023, another long lasting major heatwave struck the country with record breaking temperatures mostly in the eastern part of the mainland. The World Meteorological Organization station in Gytheio, Peloponnese[68] registered a staggering 46.4 °C (115.5 °F) which constitutes the highest value a National Observatory of Athens station has ever measured since records begun in 2006, and one of the highest values ever recorded in the country by any official institution. As a result of this heatwave, devastating fires[69] burned forested areas in southern Rhodes and Laconia[70]

Precipitation

According to the data of the network of meteorological stations which belong to the National Observatory of Athens, the lowest average annual precipitation in Greece is recorded in Schoinoussa with 240 mm (2013-2023) while the highest average annual precipitation in the country is recorded in Theodoriana, Epirus, with 2,529 mm (2009-2023).[71] Ioannina, the capital city of Epirus is considered to be the wettest city in mainland Greece with a population of over 50,000 inhabitants, receiving precipitation just short of 1,100 mm per year.[72]

Climate data for Schoinoussa
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 19.2
(66.6)		 20.6
(69.1)		 21.3
(70.3)		 25.5
(77.9)		 32.9
(91.2)		 34.6
(94.3)		 37.8
(100.0)		 37.8
(100.0)		 33.2
(91.8)		 31.2
(88.2)		 26.3
(79.3)		 20.9
(69.6)		 37.8
(100.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 14.2
(57.6)		 14.9
(58.8)		 16.0
(60.8)		 19.2
(66.6)		 23.1
(73.6)		 27.6
(81.7)		 30.3
(86.5)		 30.4
(86.7)		 27.2
(81.0)		 22.6
(72.7)		 19.4
(66.9)		 15.7
(60.3)		 21.7
(71.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) 12.3
(54.1)		 13.0
(55.4)		 13.8
(56.8)		 16.6
(61.9)		 20.2
(68.4)		 24.4
(75.9)		 27.0
(80.6)		 27.1
(80.8)		 24.5
(76.1)		 20.4
(68.7)		 17.4
(63.3)		 13.9
(57.0)		 19.2
(66.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 10.4
(50.7)		 11.0
(51.8)		 11.7
(53.1)		 14.0
(57.2)		 17.4
(63.3)		 21.2
(70.2)		 23.5
(74.3)		 23.9
(75.0)		 21.8
(71.2)		 18.1
(64.6)		 15.3
(59.5)		 12.1
(53.8)		 16.7
(62.1)
Record low °C (°F) 0.7
(33.3)		 0.5
(32.9)		 2.3
(36.1)		 7.9
(46.2)		 13.5
(56.3)		 16.3
(61.3)		 20.7
(69.3)		 20.4
(68.7)		 14.7
(58.5)		 12.3
(54.1)		 9.4
(48.9)		 0.4
(32.7)		 0.4
(32.7)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 45.8
(1.80)		 31.2
(1.23)		 40.9
(1.61)		 4.5
(0.18)		 7.3
(0.29)		 4.0
(0.16)		 0.3
(0.01)		 0.1
(0.00)		 3.8
(0.15)		 12.9
(0.51)		 33.8
(1.33)		 55.2
(2.17)		 239.8
(9.44)
Source: National Observatory of Athens Monthly Bulletins (Jul 2013-Dec 2023)[5][73] and World Meteorological Organization[74]
Climate data for Theodoriana 962 m a.s.l. (2009-2023)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 6.7
(44.1)		 8.6
(47.5)		 11.1
(52.0)		 15.7
(60.3)		 19.8
(67.6)		 24.6
(76.3)		 28.1
(82.6)		 28.4
(83.1)		 23.3
(73.9)		 18.1
(64.6)		 13.4
(56.1)		 9.0
(48.2)		 17.2
(63.0)
Daily mean °C (°F) 3.1
(37.6)		 4.6
(40.3)		 6.5
(43.7)		 10.5
(50.9)		 14.3
(57.7)		 18.5
(65.3)		 21.4
(70.5)		 21.7
(71.1)		 17.6
(63.7)		 13.1
(55.6)		 9.3
(48.7)		 5.2
(41.4)		 12.2
(53.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −0.5
(31.1)		 0.6
(33.1)		 1.9
(35.4)		 5.3
(41.5)		 8.8
(47.8)		 12.4
(54.3)		 14.7
(58.5)		 15.0
(59.0)		 11.8
(53.2)		 8.1
(46.6)		 5.1
(41.2)		 1.4
(34.5)		 7.1
(44.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 413.8
(16.29)		 304.7
(12.00)		 225.8
(8.89)		 153.7
(6.05)		 131.7
(5.19)		 96.7
(3.81)		 45.5
(1.79)		 42.8
(1.69)		 138.4
(5.45)		 213.6
(8.41)		 381.6
(15.02)		 380.6
(14.98)		 2,528.9
(99.57)
Source 1: National Observatory of Athens Monthly Bulletins (Dec 2009 - Dec 2023) [24]
Source 2: Theodoriana N.O.A station [75] and World Meteorological Organization[76]
Climate data for Ioannina (475 m; 1956–2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 9.0
(48.2)		 10.4
(50.7)		 13.7
(56.7)		 17.5
(63.5)		 23.0
(73.4)		 27.7
(81.9)		 31.0
(87.8)		 31.0
(87.8)		 26.1
(79.0)		 20.6
(69.1)		 14.7
(58.5)		 10.0
(50.0)		 20.0
(68.0)
Daily mean °C (°F) 4.7
(40.5)		 6.1
(43.0)		 8.8
(47.8)		 12.4
(54.3)		 17.4
(63.3)		 21.9
(71.4)		 24.8
(76.6)		 24.3
(75.7)		 20.1
(68.2)		 14.9
(58.8)		 9.7
(49.5)		 5.9
(42.6)		 14.3
(57.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 0.2
(32.4)		 1.0
(33.8)		 3.2
(37.8)		 6.1
(43.0)		 9.8
(49.6)		 13.0
(55.4)		 15.2
(59.4)		 15.3
(59.5)		 12.2
(54.0)		 8.6
(47.5)		 4.8
(40.6)		 1.7
(35.1)		 7.5
(45.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 122.5
(4.82)		 112.5
(4.43)		 94.9
(3.74)		 76.5
(3.01)		 66.9
(2.63)		 44.1
(1.74)		 31.7
(1.25)		 30.2
(1.19)		 62.4
(2.46)		 107.5
(4.23)		 168.8
(6.65)		 171.3
(6.74)		 1,089.3
(42.89)
Average precipitation days 13.3 12.4 12.8 12.6 11.0 6.9 4.8 4.8 6.5 9.7 13.7 15.2 123.7
Average relative humidity (%) 76.9 73.7 69.5 67.9 65.9 59.1 52.4 54.4 63.6 70.8 79.8 81.5 68.0
Mean monthly sunshine hours 95.3 107.9 143.4 165.2 225.2 296.0 320.7 296.0 208.2 160.4 98.1 75.2 2,191.6
Source: Greek National Weather Service[77]

Local winds

Etesians

Probably the most well known local winds in Greece are the etesians (also known as meltemia). With their name notating their annual fluctuation (έτος (étos) means year in Greek), these winds may blow from May to October, with their highest frequency being recorded in July and August. They keep temperatures and diurnal temperature fluctuations in the Aegean sea lower than the respective ones found in the Ionian sea or mainland Greece.[78]

Sunshine

According to the Climatic Atlas published by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, Greece receives less than 1.600 hours of sunshine per year in mountainous areas of Epirus and more than 3.250 hours of sunshine per year in South Crete.[79]

References

  1. ↑ "Climatology,HNMS, Hellenic National Meteorological Service". www.hnms.gr. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  2. ↑ "Visit Greece | Geography". Visit Greece | The Official website of the Greek Tourism Organisation. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  3. ↑ "Olympus the First National Park". Management Agency of Olympus National Park. 2008. Archived from the original on 14 January 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
  4. 1 2 "Climate Atlas of Greece" (PDF). Hellenic National Meteorological Service. Archived from the original on 21 September 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 "Monthly Bulletins". www.meteo.gr.
  6. 1 2 "Climate Atlas of Greece" (PDF). Hellenic National Meteorological Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 September 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  7. ↑ "Το 'νέο' κλίμα της Αθήνας - Περίοδος 1991-2020". National Observatory of Athens. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  8. ↑ "Το κλίμα της Αθήνας". www.meteoclub.gr. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  9. ↑ "Το αρχείο του Θησείου". www.meteoclub.gr. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  10. ↑ "Climate of Patras". Hellenic National Meteorological Service. Archived from the original on 25 May 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  11. ↑ "Latest Conditions in Xyloskalo, Chania, Crete Island". penteli.meteo.gr. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  12. ↑ "Mean Florina Climatic Averages". Hellenic National Meteorological Service. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  13. ↑ "Piraeus Urban Planning 1" (PDF) (in Greek). Pagkrati & Millioni (2017), NTUA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 March 2019. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
  14. ↑ "AUTH". Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  15. ↑ "AUTH 2". Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  16. ↑ "World Meteorological Organization". Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  17. ↑ "Meteorologist Book" (PDF). H.N.M.S. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 August 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  18. ↑ https://wmo.asu.edu/content/europe-highest-temperature . Arizona State University World Meteorological Organization
  19. ↑ "WMO is monitoring potential new temperature records". public.wmo.int. 17 July 2023. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  20. ↑ "Climate" (in Greek). National Observatory of Athens. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  21. 1 2 "Climate" (in Greek). National Observatory of Athens. Archived from the original on 27 September 2022.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "N.O.A Monthly Bulletins".
  23. ↑ "World Meteorological Organization". Archived from the original on 12 July 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  24. 1 2 "Meteo.gr - Προγνώσεις καιρού για όλη την Ελλάδα".
  25. ↑ "Latest Conditions in Kaimaktsalan".
  26. ↑ "World Meteorological Organization". Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  27. ↑ "Latest Conditions in Sparta".
  28. ↑ "World Meteorological Organization". Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  29. 1 2 http://hardiness.inforest.gr/
  30. ↑ https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/
  31. ↑ http://hardiness.inforest.gr/intro.html
  32. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/kasos/
  33. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 https://www.meteo.gr/Monthly_Bulletins.cfm
  34. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/kastellorizo/
  35. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/lindos/
  36. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/lentas/
  37. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/paleochora/
  38. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/falasarna/
  39. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/heraclionport/
  40. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/plakias/
  41. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/amorgos/
  42. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/nisyros/
  43. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/hydra/
  44. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/monemvasia/
  45. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/koufonissia/
  46. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/patmos/
  47. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/spetses/
  48. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/sitia/
  49. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/naxos/
  50. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/patra/
  51. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/lavrio/
  52. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/neasmyrni/
  53. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/faliro/
  54. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/athens/
  55. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/kifissia/
  56. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/arta/
  57. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/megistilavra/
  58. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/kalamaria/
  59. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/ippokrateios/
  60. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/nemea/
  61. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/serres/
  62. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/alexandroupolis/
  63. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/kaimaktsalan/
  64. ↑ https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/vathistalos/
  65. ↑ "In Greece, heatwaves are so bad officials are considering giving them names". 23 August 2021.
  66. ↑ Newsroom (5 January 2022). "Καιρός – Ανασκόπηση 2021: Ο «ιστορικός» καύσωνας, τα ρεκόρ βροχόπτωσης και θερμοκρασιών". Η ΚΑΘΗΜΕΡΙΝΗ (in Greek). Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  67. ↑ fani (21 July 2022). "Ο φονικός καύσωνας του 1987 με τους 44 βαθμούς. Οι νεκροί ξεπέρασαν τους 1.300 και επειδή γέμισαν οι θάλαμοι των νοσοκομείων τους έβαζαν ακόμα και σε βαγόνια - ψυγεία του ΟΣΕ!". ΜΗΧΑΝΗ ΤΟΥ ΧΡΟΝΟΥ (in Greek). Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  68. ↑ https://oscar.wmo.int/surface/#/search/station/stationReportDetails/0-300-1-gytheio
  69. ↑ "Αναζωπυρώσεις σε Ρόδο και Λακωνία". 21 July 2023.
  70. ↑ "Heatwaves and fires in Greece". 21 July 2023.
  71. ↑ "Monthly Bulletins". Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  72. ↑ "Ιωάννινα". www.hellenicaworld.com. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  73. ↑ "Latest Conditions in Schinoussa, Cyclades".
  74. ↑ "World Meteorological Organization". Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  75. ↑ "Latest Conditions in Theodoriana".
  76. ↑ "World Meteorological Organization". Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  77. ↑ "EMY-Εθνική Μετεωρολογική Υπηρεσία". Hnms.gr. Archived from the original on 2 March 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  78. ↑ "Atmospheric Controllers Of Local Nighttime Temperature". www.weather.gov. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  79. ↑ "Climatic Atlas of Greece". Hellenic National Meteorological Service. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
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