Climate - Chios (Greece)

In Chios, an island of the Eastern Aegean Sea, not far from the Turkish coast, the climate is Mediterranean, with mild, rainy winters and hot, sunny summers. The monthly average temperature ranges from around 10 °C (50 °F) in January and February to around 27 °C (80.5 °F) in July and August.
Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 650 millimeters (25.5 inches) per year and is concentrated from November to March; the rains often occur in the form of thunderstorm, and sometimes may be abundant. In summer, basically it never rains. In the interior of the island, there are hills and mountains, which culminate in Mount Pelineon, 1,297 meters (4,255 feet) high, and Mount Epos, 1,188 meters (3,898 feet) high. Most of the island is semi-arid, but there are also greener areas. Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from December to mid-March, is quite mild: daytime temperatures hover around 13/14 °C (55/57 °F). The rains are quite frequent, but there are also sunny days. The north wind can bring cold periods, with maximum temperatures below 10 °C (50 °F); moreover, the wind can increase the feeling of cold. Sometimes, it can even snow.

Spring, from mid-March to May, is mild, and becomes progressively warmer over the weeks, with more sunshine and less rain.

Summer, from June to mid-September, is hot and sunny. The Meltemi, the wind from the north-west, blows from mid-May onwards, cooling the air, but less often than on the islands of the Central Aegean Sea. Usually, the maximum temperatures hover around 30 °C (86 °F); sometimes, there can be short periods of intense heat, with highs around 36/38 °C (97/100 °F).

Autumn, from mid-September to November, is often sunny and pleasantly warm at the beginning, and then it gradually becomes milder, and with more frequent rain.



The amount of sunshine in Chios is great in summer, when clear skies prevail, and it's very good in spring, while in autumn and winter, there are sunny periods, but also others characterized by clouds and rain. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The temperature of the sea in this part of the Aegean Sea is never very high, however, it reaches 23/24 °C (73/75 °F) from July to September. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to go to Chios for a beach holiday runs from June to mid-September. In early June, the weather can still be a little cool in the evening: you can bring a sweatshirt for safety.
In May, not only the sea is still a bit cold, but also the air can be cool for sunbathing, at least on certain days.
Since in summer it can be hot, the spring, in April and May, is the best time to visit the ruins of ancient Greece or the Middle Ages. You can also choose autumn, at least until October, while later, the rains become more frequent.

Back to the North Aegean Islands.

Chios - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Chios is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.9 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 7 °C (44.6 °F) and a maximum of 12.9 °C (55.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2 °C (28.4 °F) in January 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64 °F). However, it reached 21 °C (69.8 °F) in January 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm (4.9 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Chios is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.3 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 7.1 °C (44.8 °F) and a maximum of 13.6 °C (56.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (32.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F) in February 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 23 °C (73.4 °F) in February 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Chios is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.0 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 8.4 °C (47.2 °F) and a maximum of 15.6 °C (60.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1 °C (30.2 °F) in March 2000.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (69 °F). However, it reached 24 °C (75.2 °F) in March 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Chios is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.0 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 11 °C (51.7 °F) and a maximum of 19 °C (66.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in April 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in April 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Chios is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.3 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 14.9 °C (58.8 °F) and a maximum of 23.7 °C (74.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 6 °C (42.8 °F) in May 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F) in May 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Chios is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 24.0 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 19.7 °C (67.5 °F) and a maximum of 28.4 °C (83 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, it dropped to 11 °C (51.8 °F) in June 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in June 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 12 mm (0.5 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 76% of the time.
The average humidity is 58%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In July, the weather in Chios is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 26.8 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 22.7 °C (72.9 °F) and a maximum of 30.8 °C (87.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it dropped to 16 °C (60.8 °F) in July 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in July 2007.
Precipitation amounts to only 9 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 12 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 84% of the time.
The average humidity is 54%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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In August, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Chios is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 26.9 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 23 °C (73.4 °F) and a maximum of 30.7 °C (87.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18 °C (64 °F). However, it dropped to 14 °C (57.2 °F) in August 2011.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 40.6 °C (105.1 °F) in August 1994.
Precipitation amounts to only 6 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 11.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 85% of the time.
The average humidity is 56%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Chios is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 22.8 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 18.9 °C (65.9 °F) and a maximum of 26.7 °C (80 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, it dropped to 10 °C (50 °F) in September 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in September 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 77% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23 °C (73 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Chios is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.6 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 14.9 °C (58.9 °F) and a maximum of 22.2 °C (72 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in October 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 31 °C (87.8 °F) in October 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (69 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Chios is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 14.7 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 11.2 °C (52.2 °F) and a maximum of 18.3 °C (64.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in November 2004.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in November 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Chios is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.5 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) and a maximum of 14.4 °C (58 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (34 °F). However, it dropped to -2 °C (28.4 °F) in December 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it reached 21.2 °C (70.2 °F) in December 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 30 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.