Compared to northern European countries, Greece has a relatively mild temperate climate, but it is a bit cooler and more varied than other Mediterranean countries like Italy.
While climate change may be changing some climate details, Greece has been relatively stable over the past two decades.
Do you want more detailed information about the climate in Greece? Here are Greek weather forecasts and month-by-month travel information for Greece, including the weather.
General climate information for Greece
The United States Library of Congress Country Study of Greece provides a useful overview of the climate of Greece.
Greece Country climate Study on Greece
«The dominant condition of the climate of Greece is the alternation between hot and dry summers and cold and humid winters typical of the Mediterranean. But considerable local variation results from elevation and distance from the sea. In general, continental influences are felt further north and in the center of the continent.The main climatic regions of Greece are the mountains of the mainland, Attica (the most southeastern part of the continent) and the Aegean, the west, including the Ionian Islands , and the continental northeast.
In winter, low-pressure systems reach Greece from the North Atlantic, bringing rain and moderate temperatures, but also drawing cold winds from the eastern Balkans over Macedonia and Thrace as they pass into the Aegean Sea. The same low-pressure systems also draw warmer winds from the south, creating an average January temperature differential of 4 ° C between Thessaloniki (6 ° C) and Athens (10 ° C). Cyclonic depressions provide the western and southern lowlands with mild winters and little frost.
Beginning in late fall and continuing through winter, the mainland’s western Ionian islands and mountains receive abundant rainfall (snow at higher elevations) from the west, while the eastern mainland, protected by mountains, receives much less precipitation. Thus, the average annual rainfall of Corfu off the west coast is 1,300 millimeters; that of Athens in the southeastern mainland is only 406 millimeters.
In summer, the influence of low pressure systems is much less, allowing for hot and dry conditions and an average sea level temperature of 27 ° C in July. Summer winds have a moderating effect along the coast, but very dry and warm winds have a drying effect that causes drought in the Aegean area. The Ionian and Aegean islands are especially warm in October and November.
However, elevation has an appreciable effect on temperature and precipitation at all latitudes. At higher elevations in the interior, some rainfall occurs throughout the year, and the highest mountains in the southern Peloponnese and on Crete are covered in snow for several months of the year. The mountains of Macedonia and Thrace have colder continental winters influenced by winds channeled through river valleys from the north. December 1994 data
More about the climate of Greece
Greece is sometimes said to have a “Mediterranean climate” and since every coast of Greece is washed by the Mediterranean Sea, this is not inaccurate. The coastal regions of Greece tend to be temperate and not too cold, even in winter. However, inland areas, northern regions, and higher elevations experience cold winters.
Greece also experiences strong winds that also affect temperatures. These include the scirocco that blows north from Africa, warmed by the Sahara desert. Scirocco often brings with it sandstorms, which can be bad enough to interfere with air traffic. There is also the meltemi, a strong wind that blows from the northeast, especially in the summer months. Frequently disrupts ferry schedules, as the winds are too strong for ships to navigate.
