Climate - Corfu (Greece)

Corfu: Temperatures - Precipitation - Sunshine hours - Sea temperatures - Best time - Weather by month


The climate of Corfu (or Kerkyra), a Greek island in the Ionian Sea, is Mediterranean, with mild, rainy winters and hot, sunny summers. The daily average temperature ranges from 9.5 °C (49 °F) in January to 27 °C (80.5 °F) in August.
Here are the average temperatures.

In the interior, there are some hills, the highest of which is Mount Pantokrator, 906 meters (2,972 feet) high.
Rainfall is quite abundant, in fact, it amounts to 1,000 millimeters (40 inches) per year along the coasts and even more in the inland hills, and follows the Mediterranean pattern, with a maximum in autumn and winter, while from June to August it almost never rains. Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from December to mid-March, is quite mild, even though it is not as mild as on the southern islands of Greece; moreover, it is rainy, especially in December and January; during some years, the rains are plentiful. However, there is a moderate amount of sunny days too. Sometimes, there may be outbreaks of cold air from the Balkan Peninsula, with some cold and windy days, and possible slight frosts at night. In inland hills, it can even snow.

Spring, from mid-March to May, is mild; the rains are quite frequent at the beginning, but then, they gradually become rarer, and fine weather becomes more and more frequent. May is a good month, before the summer heat.

Summer, from June to August, is hot and sunny: the maximum temperature reaches 35 °C (95 °F) with some frequency, and during heat waves, in the worst moments it can reach 40/42 °C (104/108 °F). Luckily, sea breezes blow, providing relief, at least when the heat is not excessive, and in any case, you can cool yourself in the sea. This part of Greece, overlooking the Ionian Sea, is outside the area where the annoying but cooling Meltemi blows; as a consequence, here, the sea is warmer (see below).

Autumn, from September to November, is mild (initially even quite hot) and rainy. In September, there may still be many sunny days.



The amount of sunshine in Corfu is great in summer, when blue skies prevail, but it is also good in spring, when days with clear skies are already frequent. On the contrary, from October to March, sunny days alternate with periods of bad weather. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The temperature of the sea in Corfu is warm enough for swimming from July to September, while in June, it is still a bit cool. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to go to Corfu for a beach holiday runs from June to August, although the weather is often good also in the first half of September.
If you plan to go hiking and walking across the island, you can go from mid-April to mid-June, in order to avoid the heat that can occur in high summer.

Back to the Ionian Islands.

Corfu - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Corfu is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.5 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 5 °C (41 °F) and a maximum of 14 °C (57.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, it dropped to -5.6 °C (21.9 °F) in January 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (64 °F). However, it reached 20 °C (68 °F) in January 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Corfu is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.0 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 5.7 °C (42.3 °F) and a maximum of 14.4 °C (57.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4.6 °C (23.7 °F) in February 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it reached 23 °C (73.4 °F) in February 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Corfu is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.1 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 7.5 °C (45.6 °F) and a maximum of 16.6 °C (61.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (36 °F). However, it dropped to -2.2 °C (28 °F) in March 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (70 °F). However, it reached 25 °C (77 °F) in March 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Corfu is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.0 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 10.2 °C (50.4 °F) and a maximum of 19.8 °C (67.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in April 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77.5 °F). However, it reached 31 °C (87.8 °F) in April 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Corfu is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.4 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 14.2 °C (57.6 °F) and a maximum of 24.5 °C (76.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (50.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7.4 °C (45.3 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (85.5 °F). However, it reached 34 °C (93.2 °F) in May 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 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 Corfu is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 23.7 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 18.2 °C (64.7 °F) and a maximum of 29.2 °C (84.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57.5 °F). However, it dropped to 10 °C (50 °F) in June 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94.5 °F). However, it reached 39 °C (102.2 °F) in June 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 55 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 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (72 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In July, the weather in Corfu is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 26.3 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 20.5 °C (68.9 °F) and a maximum of 32.1 °C (89.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (63 °F). However, it dropped to 12.8 °C (55 °F) in July 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (98.5 °F). However, it reached 43 °C (109.4 °F) in July 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 12 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 82% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In August, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Corfu is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 26.8 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 21 °C (69.8 °F) and a maximum of 32.6 °C (90.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it dropped to 14 °C (57.2 °F) in August 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (98.5 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in August 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 12 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 88% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (78.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Corfu is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 22.8 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 17.7 °C (63.9 °F) and a maximum of 27.8 °C (82.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (55.5 °F). However, it dropped to 10.4 °C (50.7 °F) in September 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90.5 °F). However, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F) in September 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 81% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24.5 °C (76 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Corfu is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.0 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 14.2 °C (57.6 °F) and a maximum of 23.7 °C (74.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it dropped to 4 °C (39.2 °F) in October 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (83 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F) in October 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (72 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Corfu is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 14.8 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 10.4 °C (50.7 °F) and a maximum of 19.2 °C (66.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40 °F). However, it dropped to -1 °C (30.2 °F) in November 2004.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in November 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 175 mm (6.9 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19 °C (66.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Corfu is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.1 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 6.8 °C (44.2 °F) and a maximum of 15.4 °C (59.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3 °C (26.6 °F) in December 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it reached 23 °C (73.4 °F) in December 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 195 mm (7.7 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (62 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.