Climate in Lesbos (Greece)

In Lesbos, an island of the Eastern Aegean Sea, located at 38 degrees north latitude, a short distance from the Turkish coast, the climate is Mediterranean, with mild, rainy winters and hot, sunny summers. The daily average temperature ranges from 9.5 °C (49 °F) in January to 27.5 °C (81.5 °F) in July and August.
Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 670 millimeters (26.5 inches) per year and is concentrated between November and March; it often occurs in the form of thunderstorm, and sometimes can be abundant. In summer, basically it never rains. In the interior of the island, there are some hilly areas, culminating in Mount Lepetymnos and Mount Olympos, both more than 900 meters (3,000 feet) high. Some areas of the island are green, while others, in particular the western one, are more arid.
Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from December to mid-March, is quite mild: daytime temperatures hover about 12/13 °C (54/55 °F). The rains are quite frequent, but there are also sunny days. Cold air masses from the north can lead to 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, though the sea breeze rises in the afternoon. The Meltemi, the wind from the north-west, blows by mid-May, cooling the air, but with lower intensity than on the islands of the Central Aegean Sea. Periods of intense heat, with highs about 35 °C (95 °F), are quite frequent, and sometimes, the temperature can reach as high as 38/40 °C (100/104 °F).

Autumn, from mid-September to November, is often sunny and pleasantly warm at the beginning, and gradually becomes milder, and also wetter.



The amount of sunshine in Lesbos is great in summer, when clear skies prevail, and it is 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 a maximum of 23 °C (73 °F) in July and August. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to go to Lesbos 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 the Middle Ages, the best time is spring, in April and May, while summer can be hot. You can also choose autumn, at least until October, while later, the rains increase.

Back to the North Aegean Islands.

Lesbos - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.4 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 6.5 °C (43.8 °F) and a maximum of 12.3 °C (54.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (32.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.6 °C (25.5 °F) in January 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °F) in January 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 130 mm (5.1 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 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (58 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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February is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.0 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 6.9 °C (44.4 °F) and a maximum of 13.2 °C (55.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2.4 °C (27.7 °F) in February 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66 °F). However, it reached 26.2 °C (79.2 °F) in February 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 10 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 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (57.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.2 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 8.4 °C (47.2 °F) and a maximum of 15.9 °C (60.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37 °F). However, it dropped to -0.4 °C (31.3 °F) in March 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (71.5 °F). However, it reached 27 °C (80.6 °F) in March 2001.
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 14.5 °C (58 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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April is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15.6 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 11.3 °C (52.4 °F) and a maximum of 20 °C (67.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (44 °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 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 30.4 °C (86.7 °F) in April 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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May is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.4 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 15.6 °C (60.2 °F) and a maximum of 25.1 °C (77.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (52 °F). However, it dropped to 9 °C (48.2 °F) in May 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 34 °C (93.2 °F) in May 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 25 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 63%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 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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June is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 25.1 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 20.1 °C (68.3 °F) and a maximum of 30 °C (86.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (60.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12.4 °C (54.3 °F) in June 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (96.5 °F). However, it reached 42.4 °C (108.3 °F) in June 2007.
Precipitation amounts to only 6 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
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 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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July is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 27.5 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 22.6 °C (72.7 °F) and a maximum of 32.3 °C (90.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it dropped to 16.6 °C (61.9 °F) in July 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (98.5 °F). However, it reached 42 °C (107.6 °F) in July 2007.
Precipitation amounts to only 2 mm (0.1 in), distributed over 0 days.
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 83% of the time.
The average humidity is 57%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 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 27.5 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 22.7 °C (72.9 °F) and a maximum of 32.2 °C (90.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19.5 °C (67.5 °F). However, it dropped to 16.4 °C (61.5 °F) in August 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (98 °F). However, it reached 41.4 °C (106.5 °F) in August 2002.
Precipitation amounts to only 4 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 59%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75.5 °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 23.6 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 19.1 °C (66.4 °F) and a maximum of 28.2 °C (82.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15 °C (59.5 °F). However, it dropped to 11.2 °C (52.2 °F) in September 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92 °F). However, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F) in September 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 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 63%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (73 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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October is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19.1 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 15.3 °C (59.5 °F) and a maximum of 22.9 °C (73.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (51 °F). However, it dropped to 7 °C (44.6 °F) in October 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F) in October 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 68% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (68 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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November is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 14.6 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 11.2 °C (52.2 °F) and a maximum of 17.9 °C (64.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in November 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74 °F). However, it reached 27 °C (80.6 °F) in November 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (63 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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December is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.0 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 8.2 °C (46.7 °F) and a maximum of 13.8 °C (56.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (36 °F). However, it dropped to -1.4 °C (29.5 °F) in December 2006.
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 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 145 mm (5.7 in), distributed over 12 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 75%. 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.