Weather and climate in Kythira (Greece)

In Kythira (also called Cythera or Kythera), an island located south of the Peloponnese and belonging to the group of the Ionian Islands, the climate is Mediterranean, with mild, rainy winters and hot, sunny summers. The daily average temperature ranges from 11 °C (52 °F) in January and February to 27 °C (80.5 °F) in July and August.
In inland areas, there are some hills, at an average altitude of 250/350 meters (800/1,100 feet) above sea level. The maximum altitude is about 500 meters (1,600 feet). The airport is at 320 meters (1,050 ft).
To the southeast of the island, halfway between Kythira and Crete, there is a smaller island, called Antikythira.
Here are the average temperatures.

Rainfall is not abundant, since it amounts to 530 millimeters (20.8 inches) per year, however, it is concentrated between October and March. In winter, when it can occur as thunderstorm, it is relatively abundant. In practice, in summer, it never rains.
Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from December to mid-March, is mild and quite rainy, especially in December and January. In periods of bad weather, a strong wind can blow. However, there is a moderate amount of sunny days too.
Despite the southern latitude, cold air masses from the continent can at times arrive here, so there can be cold and windy days, with maximum temperatures below 10 °C (50 °F). Snow is very rare, and occurs only during the most intense cold waves, such as that of March 1987. On colder nights, the temperature usually drops to around freezing (0 °C or 32 °F), although it dropped to -4 °C (25 °F) in February 2004.

Spring, from mid-March to May, is mild; in this season, the rains become gradually rarer, and sunny days become increasingly more frequent.

Summer, from June to mid-September, is hot and sunny, but also breezy. Typically, the air is not very humid because of the prevalence of the northern wind, which comes from the mainland.
Usually, the maximum temperature hovers around 30 °C (86 °F), although there may be hot periods, normally of short duration, with temperatures reaching 36/37 °C (97/99 °F); occasionally, they can reach higher values. During the exceptional heatwave of July 1998, the temperature reached as high as 43.4 °C (110.1 °F). Between late July and early August 2021, the temperature fluctuated between 38 and 42 °C (100 and 107.5 °F) for seven consecutive days.

Autumn, from mid-September to November, is mild (and initially warm enough) and rainy. In October, there may still be many sunny days.



The amount of sunshine in Cythera is great in summer, when clear skies prevail, but it is also good in spring, when days with clear skies are already frequent. On the other hand, from November to February, sunny days alternate with periods of bad weather. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The temperature of the sea in Kythira is high 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 Kythira for a beach holiday goes from June to mid-September. In the first half of June, it can still be a bit cool in the evening: for safety, you can bring a sweatshirt.
If you want to visit the villages, or to go in search of the remains of ancient Greece, or of the Byzantine and Venetian monuments, you can choose spring, especially in May, since in summer, it can be very hot (though rarely enough). You can also choose autumn, until mid-October, while later, the chance of rainy and windy days increases.

Back to the Ionian Islands.

Kythira - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.1 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 9.2 °C (48.6 °F) and a maximum of 12.9 °C (55.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38 °F). However, it dropped to -2 °C (28.4 °F) in January 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C (62 °F). However, it reached 19.2 °C (66.6 °F) in January 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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February, the coldest month of the year, is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.0 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 9.1 °C (48.5 °F) and a maximum of 13 °C (55.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39 °F). However, it dropped to -4 °C (24.8 °F) in February 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it reached 23.2 °C (73.8 °F) in February 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 9 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 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.6 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 10.6 °C (51 °F) and a maximum of 14.6 °C (58.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning 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 March 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (67.5 °F). However, it reached 27.4 °C (81.3 °F) in March 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 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 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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April is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15.4 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 13.1 °C (55.5 °F) and a maximum of 17.7 °C (63.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it dropped to 4.8 °C (40.6 °F) in April 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). However, it reached 29.3 °C (84.7 °F) in April 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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May is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19.5 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 16.8 °C (62.3 °F) and a maximum of 22.2 °C (71.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9 °C (48.2 °F) in May 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). However, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F) in May 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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June is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 24.2 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 21.2 °C (70.1 °F) and a maximum of 27.3 °C (81.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it dropped to 12.4 °C (54.3 °F) in June 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93 °F). However, it reached 41.6 °C (106.9 °F) in June 2007.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 35 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 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 56%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21 °C (69.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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July is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 26.9 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 23.8 °C (74.9 °F) and a maximum of 30 °C (86 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it dropped to 17.6 °C (63.7 °F) in July 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (96.5 °F). However, it reached 43.4 °C (110.1 °F) in July 1998.
Precipitation amounts to only 0 mm (0 in), so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 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 53%.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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August, the hottest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 27.1 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 24.1 °C (75.5 °F) and a maximum of 30 °C (86.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). However, it dropped to 19.8 °C (67.6 °F) in August 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 39 °C (102.2 °F) in August 2012.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 12 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 89% of the time.
The average humidity is 55%.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25 °C (77 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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September is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 23.7 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 21.2 °C (70.1 °F) and a maximum of 26.2 °C (79.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16.5 °C (62 °F). However, it dropped to 15.4 °C (59.7 °F) in September 2008.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in September 2015.
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 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 81% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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October is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.0 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 17.7 °C (63.9 °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 13 °C (55.5 °F). However, it dropped to 10.4 °C (50.7 °F) in October 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 35.6 °C (96.1 °F) in October 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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November is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.1 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 14.1 °C (57.3 °F) and a maximum of 18 °C (64.5 °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 November 2004.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (74 °F). However, it reached 29 °C (84.2 °F) in November 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19 °C (66 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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December is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.4 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 10.5 °C (50.9 °F) and a maximum of 14.2 °C (57.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41 °F). However, it dropped to 0.6 °C (33.1 °F) in December 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66 °F). However, it reached 26.8 °C (80.2 °F) in December 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), distributed over 11 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 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.