Climate - Skyros (Greece)

The climate of Skyros, the southernmost of the Sporades, is Mediterranean, with relatively mild, rainy winters and warm, sunny summers. The island is not as warm as the southern Greek islands, it is windy, and in winter, it is subject to outbreaks of cold air from the Balkan Peninsula.
Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation follows the Mediterranean pattern, in fact, it is more frequent from November to March, and it's not abundant, since it does not reach 400 millimeters (15.7 inches) per year. In summer, the rains are very rare, and occur in the form of short downpour or thunderstorm. The southern part of the island is drier than the northern one, and has a particularly arid landscape. Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from December to mid-March, is not so mild: there are many days with highs below 10 °C (50 °F) and with a moderate or even strong wind. Furthermore, every so often, it can get very cold, and it can even snow, although frosts almost never occur because of the influence of the sea.
However, there are also mild periods, with highs around 15/18 °C (59/64 °F).
The rains are quite frequent.



Spring, from mid-March to May, is a pleasant season, mild and sunny, but some periods can be a bit cold, windy and rainy, which gradually become less frequent.

Summer, from June to mid-September, is warm and sunny, with very few showers. Generally, the maximum temperature is below 30 °C (86 °F), and the temperature is almost always acceptable because of the prevailing wind, which blows from the north. The Meltemi blows with a certain intensity in periods of a few days, but less so than in the Cyclades. Very hot days are rare, sometimes, however, there can be short heat waves, in which the temperature can reach 37/38 °C (99/100 °F).

Autumn, from mid-September to November, is pleasantly warm at first, then gradually becomes milder. The rains gradually become more frequent, although there are long periods without rain still in October. In November, the first days a bit cold and windy can occur, and sometimes also in October.



The amount of sunshine in Skyros is very good in summer, and also in May and September, when clear skies prevail, while in the rest of the year, there are both sunny periods and periods with cloudy skies. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The temperature of the sea, still cold in May and cool in June, becomes high enough for swimming from July to September. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to go to Skyros for a beach holiday is the summer, from June to mid-September. In June and September, and sometimes in early July, there can be some cool evenings, so it's better to bring a sweatshirt.
In May, not only the sea is cold, but there can also be some cool days, with highs below 20 °C (68 °F), especially in the first part of the month.
If you want to go on excursions on the island, to visit the castle or the Byzantine monastery, or to climb Mount Olympus, 400 meters (1,300 feet) high, the summer temperatures are generally acceptable, in fact, they are not too high, however, you can also go in May.

Back to the Sporades Islands.

Skyros - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2004

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In January, the weather in Skyros is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.5 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 7 °C (44.6 °F) and a maximum of 12.1 °C (53.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2 °C (28.4 °F) in January 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it reached 20 °C (68 °F) in January 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 7 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 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In February, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Skyros is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.4 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 6.6 °C (43.9 °F) and a maximum of 12.3 °C (54.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.6 °C (25.5 °F) in February 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66 °F). However, it reached 23 °C (73.4 °F) in February 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 5 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 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (58 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Skyros is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.9 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 8 °C (46.3 °F) and a maximum of 13.9 °C (56.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in March 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (69.5 °F). However, it reached 30.2 °C (86.4 °F) in March 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 5 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 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (58 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Skyros is usually mild. The average temperature is of 14.2 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 10.9 °C (51.7 °F) and a maximum of 17.4 °C (63.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41 °F). However, it dropped to 0.4 °C (32.7 °F) in April 2004.
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 °C (84.2 °F) in April 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 4 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 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Skyros is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.5 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 15 °C (59.1 °F) and a maximum of 21.9 °C (71.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10 °C (50.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7.6 °C (45.7 °F) in May 2000.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82.5 °F). However, it reached 33.8 °C (92.8 °F) in May 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 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 70%.
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Skyros is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 23.1 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 19.5 °C (67.2 °F) and a maximum of 26.6 °C (79.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15 °C (59 °F). However, it dropped to 12 °C (53.6 °F) in June 2000.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (91 °F). However, it reached 36.8 °C (98.2 °F) in June 1996.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 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 65%.
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Skyros is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 25.0 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 21.7 °C (71.1 °F) and a maximum of 28.2 °C (82.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it dropped to 15 °C (59 °F) in July 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 42.6 °C (108.7 °F) in July 2000.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 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 83% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In August, the weather in Skyros is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 25.0 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 22 °C (71.6 °F) and a maximum of 27.9 °C (82.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it dropped to 14.4 °C (57.9 °F) in August 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 37.8 °C (100 °F) in August 2002.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 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 66%.
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 September, the weather in Skyros is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.0 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 18.9 °C (66 °F) and a maximum of 25 °C (77.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it dropped to 10 °C (50 °F) in September 1992.
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 36.8 °C (98.2 °F) in September 2000.
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 70%.
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 October, the weather in Skyros is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.6 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 15.7 °C (60.3 °F) and a maximum of 21.5 °C (70.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10 °C (50 °F). However, it dropped to 6.6 °C (43.9 °F) in October 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82.5 °F). However, it reached 33.4 °C (92.1 °F) in October 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 4 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 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average sea temperature is of 21 °C (70 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Skyros is usually mild. The average temperature is of 14.3 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 11.6 °C (52.8 °F) and a maximum of 17 °C (62.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (43 °F). However, it dropped to 3.2 °C (37.8 °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 28.6 °C (83.5 °F) in November 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 6 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 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Skyros is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.7 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 8.4 °C (47.1 °F) and a maximum of 13.1 °C (55.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (37 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in December 1998.
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 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 8 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 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.