Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
In Kos (or Cos), an island of the Eastern Aegean Sea, belonging to the
Dodecanese group, located a short distance from the Turkish coast, the climate is
Mediterranean, with mild, rainy winters and hot, sunny summers.
Precipitation amounts to 730 millimeters (28.5 inches) per year and is concentrated between October and March; it often occurs in the form of thunderstorm, and sometimes can be abundant. In summer, it almost never rains. Owing to the length of the dry period, the landscape is semi-arid, except in the inland hills, which reach about 800 meters (2,600 feet) above sea level.
Winter, from December to mid-March, is mild enough: daytime temperatures hover about 14/15 °C (57/59 °F). The rains are quite frequent, but there are also sunny days.
Sometimes there can be cold periods, with maximum temperatures of 5/7 °C (41/45 °F). The wind can increase the feeling of cold. Every now and then, you can even see a bit of snow, though usually without accumulation, at least at sea level.
Spring, from mid-March to May, is mild, and over the weeks, it becomes progressively warmer, sunnier and less rainy.
Summer, from June to mid-September, is hot and sunny. The
Meltemi, the wind from the north-west, blows by mid-May, cooling the air, but with lower intensity than on the central islands of the Aegean Sea. In addition, sometimes there may be a period of intense heat, with maximum temperatures around 36/37 °C (97/99 °F) or more.
Autumn, from mid-September to November, is often sunny and pleasantly warm at the beginning, and gradually becomes milder, while the rains become more frequent.
The amount of
sunshine in Kos is great in summer, when clear skies prevail, and it's very good in late spring, while in autumn and winter, sunny periods alternate with others characterized by clouds and rain.
The
sea is warm enough for swimming from July to September, and reaches 24.5 °C (76 °F) in August and September.
Best Time
The
best time to go to Kos for a beach holiday runs from June to mid-September. In early June, it can still be a little cool in the evening: for safety, you can bring a sweatshirt.
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.
If you want to visit the ruins of ancient Greece or of the Middle Ages, the best time is spring, especially the month of May, since in summer, it can be hot. You can also choose autumn, especially October, whereas November is cooler and rainier.
Kos - Climate data
In Kos, the
average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 11.2 °C (52.2 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 27 °C (80.6 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Kos - Average temperatures (1991-2020) Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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January | 8.9 | 13.6 | 11.2 | 48 | 56 | 52.2 |
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February | 8.9 | 14 | 11.4 | 48 | 57 | 52.6 |
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March | 10.4 | 15.9 | 13.1 | 51 | 61 | 55.6 |
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April | 12.8 | 19.1 | 16 | 55 | 66 | 60.8 |
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May | 16.5 | 23.8 | 20.2 | 62 | 75 | 68.3 |
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June | 20.6 | 28.5 | 24.5 | 69 | 83 | 76.2 |
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July | 22.6 | 30.9 | 26.7 | 73 | 88 | 80.1 |
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August | 23 | 30.9 | 27 | 73 | 88 | 80.6 |
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September | 20.7 | 27.6 | 24.1 | 69 | 82 | 75.4 |
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October | 17.4 | 23.6 | 20.5 | 63 | 74 | 68.9 |
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November | 13.6 | 19 | 16.3 | 57 | 66 | 61.4 |
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December | 10.6 | 15.1 | 12.9 | 51 | 59 | 55.1 |
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Year | 15.5 | 21.9 | 18.65 | 60 | 71.4 | 65.5 |
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Precipitation amounts to 730 millimeters (28.7 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 2 mm (0.1 in) in the driest month (July) to 170 mm (6.7 in) in the wettest one (January). Here is the average precipitation.
Kos - Average precipitationMonth | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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January | 170 | 6.7 | 12 |
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February | 115 | 4.5 | 10 |
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March | 75 | 3 | 9 |
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April | 35 | 1.4 | 7 |
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May | 20 | 0.8 | 5 |
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June | 8 | 0.3 | 3 |
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July | 2 | 0.1 | 3 |
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August | 5 | 0.2 | 3 |
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September | 15 | 0.6 | 3 |
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October | 60 | 2.4 | 6 |
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November | 90 | 3.5 | 8 |
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December | 135 | 5.3 | 12 |
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Year | 730 | 28.8 | 81 |
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The
sea temperature ranges from 16 °C (61 °F) in February, March to
Kos - Sea temperatureMonth | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
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January | 16.5 | 62 | February | 16 | 61 | March | 16 | 61 | April | 17 | 62 | May | 19 | 66 | June | 22 | 71 | July | 23.5 | 75 | August | 24.5 | 76 | September | 24 | 75 | October | 22 | 72 | November | 19.5 | 67 | December | 17.5 | 64 | Year | 19.8 | 67.7 |
There are on average around 2915
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Kos - Sunshine hoursMonth | Average | Total |
---|
January | 4 | 125 | February | 5 | 150 | March | 6.5 | 200 | April | 8.5 | 260 | May | 9.5 | 300 | June | 11 | 335 | July | 12 | 375 | August | 11.5 | 355 | September | 9.5 | 290 | October | 7.5 | 235 | November | 5.5 | 170 | December | 4 | 125 | Year | 8 | 2915 |
Kos - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.2 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 8.9 °C (47.9 °F) and a maximum of 13.6 °C (56.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.2 °C (29.8 °F) in January 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (63 °F). However, it reached 19 °C (66.2 °F) in January 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 170 mm (6.7 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
February is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.4 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 8.9 °C (48 °F) and a maximum of 14 °C (57.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2 °C (28.4 °F) in February 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it reached 25 °C (77 °F) in February 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 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 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.1 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 10.4 °C (50.6 °F) and a maximum of 15.9 °C (60.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in March 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (68 °F). However, it reached 23 °C (73.4 °F) in March 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 9 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 70%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
April is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 12.8 °C (55.1 °F) and a maximum of 19.1 °C (66.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, it dropped to 4 °C (39.2 °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 29 °C (84.2 °F) in April 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 7 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 69%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
May is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.2 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 16.5 °C (61.7 °F) and a maximum of 23.8 °C (74.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (56 °F). However, it dropped to 11 °C (51.8 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 37.4 °C (99.3 °F) in May 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19 °C (66 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
June is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 24.5 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 20.6 °C (69 °F) and a maximum of 28.5 °C (83.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17.5 °C (63 °F). However, it dropped to 14 °C (57.2 °F) in June 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 39 °C (102.2 °F) in June 2007.
Precipitation amounts to only 8 mm (0.3 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 40 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 77% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
July is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 26.7 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 22.6 °C (72.7 °F) and a maximum of 30.9 °C (87.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). However, it dropped to 18 °C (64.4 °F) in July 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F). However, it reached 43 °C (109.4 °F) in July 2007.
Precipitation amounts to only 2 mm (0.1 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 25 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 60%.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
August, the hottest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 27 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 23 °C (73.5 °F) and a maximum of 30.9 °C (87.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 21 °C (69.5 °F). However, it dropped to 19 °C (66.2 °F) in August 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95.5 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in August 2006.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 11.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 85% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
September is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 24.1 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 20.7 °C (69.2 °F) and a maximum of 27.6 °C (81.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18 °C (64 °F). However, it dropped to 15 °C (59 °F) in September 1997.
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 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 3 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 65%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
October is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.5 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 17.4 °C (63.3 °F) and a maximum of 23.6 °C (74.4 °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 8 °C (46.4 °F) in October 2003.
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 35 °C (95 °F) in October 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 6 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 68%.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
November is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.3 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 13.6 °C (56.5 °F) and a maximum of 19 °C (66.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 4 °C (39.2 °F) in November 2004.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75 °F). However, it reached 29 °C (84.2 °F) in November 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (67.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
December is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.9 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 10.6 °C (51 °F) and a maximum of 15.1 °C (59.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (41.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in December 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °F) in December 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 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 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.