Climate of Greece

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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 and the Mediterranean climate. There are mountainous areas that have an alpine climate.

Categories

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

Mediterranean (dry and wet)

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.[4] This climate occurs in the Aegean Islands, especially the Cyclades and the Dodecanese, southern and 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[5]
Source 2: Meteoclub[6][7]
Climate data for Heraklion 1981-2010 (HNMS)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 29.9
(85.8) 		29.2
(84.6) 		34.0
(93.2) 		37.5
(99.5) 		38.0
(100.4) 		41.3
(106.3) 		43.6
(110.5) 		44.5
(112.1) 		39.5
(103.1) 		37.0
(98.6) 		32.5
(90.5) 		28.5
(83.3) 		44.5
(112.1)
Average high °C (°F) 15.3
(59.5) 		15.5
(59.9) 		16.7
(62.1) 		20.0
(68.0) 		23.5
(74.3) 		27.3
(81.1) 		28.7
(83.7) 		28.5
(83.3) 		26.4
(79.5) 		23.4
(74.1) 		20.0
(68.0) 		17.0
(62.6) 		21.9
(71.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) 12.1
(53.8) 		12.2
(54.0) 		13.5
(56.3) 		16.5
(61.7) 		20.3
(68.5) 		24.4
(75.9) 		26.1
(79.0) 		26.0
(78.8) 		23.5
(74.3) 		20.0
(68.0) 		16.6
(61.9) 		13.7
(56.7) 		18.7
(65.7)
Average low °C (°F) 9.0
(48.2) 		8.9
(48.0) 		9.7
(49.5) 		11.8
(53.2) 		15.0
(59.0) 		19.1
(66.4) 		21.6
(70.9) 		21.8
(71.2) 		19.3
(66.7) 		16.5
(61.7) 		13.4
(56.1) 		10.8
(51.4) 		14.7
(58.5)
Record low °C (°F) 0.0
(32.0) 		−0.8
(30.6) 		0.3
(32.5) 		4.2
(39.6) 		6.0
(42.8) 		12.2
(54.0) 		14.5
(58.1) 		16.6
(61.9) 		12.0
(53.6) 		8.7
(47.7) 		4.2
(39.6) 		2.4
(36.3) 		−0.8
(30.6)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 90.1
(3.55) 		67.6
(2.66) 		58.2
(2.29) 		28.5
(1.12) 		14.2
(0.56) 		3.5
(0.14) 		1.0
(0.04) 		0.6
(0.02) 		17.7
(0.70) 		64.9
(2.56) 		59.0
(2.32) 		77.9
(3.07) 		483.2
(19.03)
Average rainy days 16.0 13.6 12.0 7.7 4.4 1.3 0.3 0.4 2.4 7.8 10.6 15.1 91.6
Average relative humidity (%) 68.0 66.1 66.0 61.7 60.8 56.3 56.6 58.3 61.2 65.5 67.7 67.7 63.0
Mean monthly sunshine hours 119.9 132.3 181.5 234.8 298.5 356.2 368.3 343.5 275.8 206.9 145.5 115.4 2,778.6
Source 1: HNMS[8][9]
Source 2: meteo-climat (extremes)[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 frequent thunderstorms. This climate is to be found on high mountains, like in the Pindus and Rhodope mountains.

Transitional continental- Mediterranean

This climate has 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 (hot and cold)

According to the Climate Atlas of Greece published by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (H.N.M.S) the semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification: BS) is found in areas of Macedonia and Thessaly (cold semi-arid, Köppen: BSk) and also in areas of Attica such as Piraeus in the Athens Riviera (hot semi-arid, Köppen: BSh).[4]

Climate data for Piraeus H.N.M.S (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 1: National Technical University of Athens[12]
Source 2: Meteoclub.gr[13][better source needed]
Climate data for Serres (1971–2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 8.3
(46.9) 		11.0
(51.8) 		15.1
(59.2) 		19.9
(67.8) 		25.6
(78.1) 		30.3
(86.5) 		32.6
(90.7) 		32.2
(90.0) 		27.9
(82.2) 		21.5
(70.7) 		14.3
(57.7) 		9.1
(48.4) 		20.7
(69.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) 4.2
(39.6) 		6.4
(43.5) 		9.9
(49.8) 		14.5
(58.1) 		20.0
(68.0) 		24.6
(76.3) 		26.8
(80.2) 		26.0
(78.8) 		21.7
(71.1) 		16.0
(60.8) 		9.7
(49.5) 		5.2
(41.4) 		15.4
(59.7)
Average low °C (°F) 0.0
(32.0) 		1.3
(34.3) 		4.1
(39.4) 		8.0
(46.4) 		12.9
(55.2) 		16.9
(62.4) 		18.9
(66.0) 		18.2
(64.8) 		14.5
(58.1) 		9.9
(49.8) 		4.9
(40.8) 		1.2
(34.2) 		9.2
(48.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 34.6
(1.36) 		37.7
(1.48) 		32.6
(1.28) 		38.5
(1.52) 		47.3
(1.86) 		40.7
(1.60) 		27.6
(1.09) 		26.8
(1.06) 		29.1
(1.15) 		43.0
(1.69) 		48.8
(1.92) 		55.4
(2.18) 		464.2
(18.28)
Average precipitation days 7.9 8.0 8.2 8.9 9.7 7.1 5.2 5.1 5.1 6.5 8.2 9.3 89.2
Average relative humidity (%) 77.1 71.7 68.1 63.2 59.8 53.8 51.7 54.5 59.5 69.6 76.8 80.2 65.5
Mean monthly sunshine hours 98.4 111.4 147.4 191.6 237.5 293.9 316.5 294.7 236.3 169.0 106.8 85.9 2,289.4
Source: Hellenic National Meteorological Service[14]

Temperature

  • Abs. minimum temperature: −27.8 °C (−18.0 °F), Ptolemaida. [15]
  • Abs. maximum temperature: 48.0 °C (118.4 °F), Athens

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 Athanasios D. Sarantopoulos is also the WMO record high temperature for Greece and Europe.[16] Mean annual temperatures in Greece range from less than +12 °C (54 °F) [17] in Kato Nevrokopi up to almost +22 °C (72 °F) [17] 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.[18]

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. [19]

References

  1. ^ "Climatology,HNMS, Hellenic National Meteorological Service". www.hnms.gr. Retrieved 2020-07-14.
  2. ^ "Visit Greece | Geography". Visit Greece | The Official website of the Greek Tourism Organisation. Retrieved 2020-07-14.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ a b "Climate Atlas of Greece" (PDF). Hellenic National Meteorological Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 September 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  5. ^ "Το 'νέο' κλίμα της Αθήνας - Περίοδος 1991-2020". National Observatory of Athens. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  6. ^ "Το κλίμα της Αθήνας". www.meteoclub.gr. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Το αρχείο του Θησείου". www.meteoclub.gr. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  8. ^ "Climatic Data for selected stations in Greece: Heraklion (Crete)". Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  9. ^ "Climate Atlas of Greece (for sunshine 1977-2002)". HNMS. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  10. ^ "STATION HERAKLION". meteo-climat. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  11. ^ "Mean Florina Climatic Averages". Hellenic National Meteorological Service. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  12. ^ "Piraeus Urban Planning 1" (PDF) (in Greek). Pagkrati & Millioni (2017), NTUA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-03-07. Retrieved 30 Sep 2019.
  13. ^ "Piraeus climate data" (in Greek). Meteoclub. Retrieved 7 Jan 2018.
  14. ^ "Serres Climatological data 1971–2010". Hellenic National Meteorological Service. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  15. ^ "Meteorologist Book" (PDF). H.N.M.S. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 Aug 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  16. ^ https://wmo.asu.edu/content/europe-highest-temperature . Arizona State University World Meteorological Organization
  17. ^ a b "Climate" (in Greek). National Observatory of Athens. Retrieved 3 Apr 2022.
  18. ^ "In Greece, heatwaves are so bad officials are considering giving them names". 23 August 2021.
  19. ^ "Climatic Atlas of Greece". Hellenic National Meteorological Service. Retrieved 4 August 2022.

External links

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