Greece : Climate And Weather
July 12, 2009 by Tim Handy
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This part of our guide to holidays in Greece covers the climate of the country…
Greece has a normal Mediterranean climate in that it generally enjoys long warm summers and short mild winters.
But despite the country’s relatively small size, there are regional variations; Greece’s northern mountains, southern islands and central mainland having slightly different climates.
From April until November, all over Greece is hot and dry and enjoys near-constant sunshine. Sporadic rains do occur during the dry season, but they tend to be rare, quick showers. The most pleasant weather occurs in May-June and September-October, with the warmest time of the year being from mid-July and to mid-August. Temperatures average at around 35 degrees during this period and heatwaves can occur. If visiting at this time of year, it’s advisable to try and stay out of the sun from 11am-4pm when the suns rays are at their strongest.
The remainder of the year is characterized by a relatively cold, rainy period which generally starts sometime in November and lasts until late March or early April. The majority of rain falls from December to April, where it rains on approximately a third of days each month. In the northern parts of the country, this can be quite persistent and can cause flooding. The upper parts of Greece can also be very cold during the winter and snow is not uncommon.
The summer months are the peak season and attract the most tourists but, for visitors from northerly climates, the off-season from November through February can be a rewarding time to see Greece, especially the southern Aegean and parts of the southeastern mainland, which are the driest parts of the country. It will not be beach weather, but temperatures are mild, prices are reduced, and the number of other tourists will be significantly fewer.
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