Climate of Greece
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 and the Mediterranean climate. There are mountainous areas that have an alpine climate. Also, various areas of Greece have semi-arid climates. [4] [5]
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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, low-lying areas of Attica, the western, 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.
| 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) |
28.9 (84.0) |
32.2 (90.0) |
38.4 (101.1) |
44.8 (112.6) |
43.0 (109.4) |
42.6 (108.7) |
38.6 (101.5) |
36.5 (97.7) |
30.5 (86.9) |
22.9 (73.2) |
44.8 (112.6) |
| Average high °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) |
29.6 (85.3) |
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) |
| Average low °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] | |||||||||||||
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 frequent 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.[10]
Transitional continental- Mediterranean
This climate is classified as Humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification: Cfa and Cwa) 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) |
| Average high °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) | 0.5 (32.9) |
2.7 (36.9) |
6.7 (44.1) |
11.6 (52.9) |
16.8 (62.2) |
21.0 (69.8) |
23.1 (73.6) |
22.5 (72.5) |
18.4 (65.1) |
12.6 (54.7) |
7.0 (44.6) |
2.2 (36.0) |
12.1 (53.8) |
| Average low °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) | −29.0 (−20.2) |
−19.0 (−2.2) |
−13.6 (7.5) |
−5.0 (23.0) |
0.0 (32.0) |
2.4 (36.3) |
6.6 (43.9) |
4.0 (39.2) |
0.2 (32.4) |
−5.0 (23.0) |
−12.6 (9.3) |
−18.6 (−1.5) |
−29.0 (−20.2) |
| 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 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 12.3 | 11.3 | 11.2 | 7.4 | 6.1 | 5.8 | 6.1 | 8.4 | 10.8 | 12.9 | 116.3 |
| 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 (%) | 82.1 | 78.1 | 70.9 | 64.0 | 63.4 | 59.8 | 57.4 | 58.3 | 63.9 | 72.1 | 78.7 | 81.8 | 69.2 |
| Source: Hellenic National Meteorological Service [11] | |||||||||||||
Semi-arid climate
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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] [12]
Cold semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification: BSk) is found in various areas of Macedonia and Thessaly. [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 |
| Average high °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) |
| Average low °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] | |||||||||||||
Temperature
- Abs. minimum temperature: −27.8 °C (−18.0 °F), Ptolemaida.[14]
- 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 as reported by a communication of Dr. Athanasios D. Sarantopoulos is also the WMO record high temperature for Greece and Europe.[15] Average annual temperatures in Greece range from around +4 °C (39 °F) in Kaimaktsalan up to almost +22 °C (72 °F) [16] in Lindos. However, since Greece is generally a mountainous country, real average temperatures vary considerably from region to region.
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.[17]
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 243 mm (2013-2023) while the highest average annual precipitation in the country is recorded in Theodoriana with 2461 mm (2009-2022). [18]
| Climate data for Schoinoussa | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 14.2 (57.6) |
14.9 (58.8) |
16.0 (60.8) |
19.2 (66.6) |
23.3 (73.9) |
27.7 (81.9) |
30.2 (86.4) |
30.4 (86.7) |
27.1 (80.8) |
22.5 (72.5) |
19.1 (66.4) |
15.5 (59.9) |
21.7 (71.0) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 12.3 (54.1) |
13.0 (55.4) |
13.8 (56.8) |
16.6 (61.9) |
20.4 (68.7) |
24.8 (76.6) |
26.8 (80.2) |
27.1 (80.8) |
24.4 (75.9) |
20.2 (68.4) |
17.2 (63.0) |
13.7 (56.7) |
19.2 (66.5) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 10.4 (50.7) |
11.0 (51.8) |
11.7 (53.1) |
14.0 (57.2) |
17.5 (63.5) |
21.3 (70.3) |
23.4 (74.1) |
23.9 (75.0) |
21.8 (71.2) |
18.0 (64.4) |
15.2 (59.4) |
11.9 (53.4) |
16.7 (62.0) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 45.83 (1.80) |
31.16 (1.23) |
40.88 (1.61) |
4.82 (0.19) |
5.78 (0.23) |
1.82 (0.07) |
0.26 (0.01) |
0.07 (0.00) |
4.16 (0.16) |
15.75 (0.62) |
34.68 (1.37) |
57.95 (2.28) |
243.16 (9.57) |
| Source: National Observatory of Athens Monthly Bulletins (Jul 2013-Apr 2023)[19] [20] | |||||||||||||
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.
Sunshine
According to the Climatic Atlas published by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, Greece receives less than 1.700 hours of sunshine per year in mountainous areas of Epirus and more than 3.250 hours of sunshine per year in South Crete.[21]
References
- "Climatology,HNMS, Hellenic National Meteorological Service". www.hnms.gr. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
- "Visit Greece | Geography". Visit Greece | The Official website of the Greek Tourism Organisation. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
- "Olympus the First National Park". Management Agency of Olympus National Park. Management Agency of Olympus National Park. 2008. Archived from the original on 14 January 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2015.
- "Climate Atlas of Greece" (PDF). Hellenic National Meteorological Service. Archived from the original on 21 September 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
- "Monthly Bulletins". www.meteo.gr.
- "Climate Atlas of Greece" (PDF). Hellenic National Meteorological Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 September 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
- "Το 'νέο' κλίμα της Αθήνας - Περίοδος 1991-2020". National Observatory of Athens. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
- "Το κλίμα της Αθήνας". www.meteoclub.gr. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
- "Το αρχείο του Θησείου". www.meteoclub.gr. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
- "Latest Conditions in Xyloskalo, Chania, Crete Island". penteli.meteo.gr. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- "Mean Florina Climatic Averages". Hellenic National Meteorological Service. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
- "Monthly Bulletins". www.meteo.gr.
- "Piraeus Urban Planning 1" (PDF) (in Greek). Pagkrati & Millioni (2017), NTUA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 March 2019. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
- "Meteorologist Book" (PDF). H.N.M.S. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 August 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
- https://wmo.asu.edu/content/europe-highest-temperature . Arizona State University World Meteorological Organization
- "Climate" (in Greek). National Observatory of Athens. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
- "In Greece, heatwaves are so bad officials are considering giving them names". 23 August 2021.
- "Monthly Bulletins". Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- "Monthly Bulletins". www.meteo.gr.
- https://penteli.meteo.gr/stations/schinoussa/
- "Climatic Atlas of Greece". Hellenic National Meteorological Service. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
External links
- Hellenic National Meteorological Service
- National Observatory of Athens
- Network of online weather stations
