Climate - Zakynthos (Greece)

The climate of Zakynthos (or Zante), a Greek island of the Ionian Sea, is Mediterranean, with mild, rainy winters and hot, sunny summers.
Here are the average temperatures.

Rainfall is quite abundant, in fact, it amounts to nearly 1,000 millimeters (40 inches) per year, but it is concentrated in the period from October to March, while in May and September, it rains little, and from June to August it almost never rains. Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from December to mid-March, is mild but rainy, especially in December and January, when more than 150 millimeters (6 inches) of rain fall per month. However, there is a moderate amount of sunny days too. The island is sheltered from cold spells, so much so that it almost never snows at sea level, while in inland hills, which reach 758 meters (2,487 ft) above sea level, sometimes it can snow, as happened in February 2012. Sometimes, however, a cold wind from the north can blow, and in the winter months, the minimum temperature at sea level can drop to 0 °C (32 °F) or slightly below.

Spring, from mid-March to May, is mild; the rains gradually become rarer, and sunny days become increasingly more frequent. May is a pleasant month, before the summer heat.

Summer, from June to mid-September, is sunny and hot: the maximum temperature often exceeds 30 °C (86 °F) and can easily reach as high as 35 °C (95 °F), especially in August; in the worst moments, it can reach 40 °C (104 °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 wind called Meltemi blows, so the sea is warmer as well.

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 Zakynthos is great in summer, when clear skies prevail, but it is also good in spring, when days with clear skies are already frequent. In contrast, 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, which, as mentioned, is higher than in the Aegean Sea, is warm enough for swimming from July to September, while in June it's a bit cool. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to go to Zakynthos for a beach holiday runs from June to mid-September.
The turtles Caretta caretta arrive on the beaches to lay their eggs in June.
The month of May is preferable for excursions on the island, or maybe also the first half of October, since in summer, it can be too hot for this kind of activity.

Back to the Ionian Islands.

Zakynthos - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Zakynthos is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.9 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 7.7 °C (45.8 °F) and a maximum of 14.1 °C (57.5 °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 °C (26.6 °F) in January 2015.
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 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 160 mm (6.3 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 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (60.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Zakynthos is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.2 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 7.7 °C (45.9 °F) and a maximum of 14.6 °C (58.3 °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 February 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 21 °C (69.8 °F) in February 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 11 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 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Zakynthos is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.7 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 8.8 °C (47.9 °F) and a maximum of 16.5 °C (61.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in March 1994.
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 24 °C (75.2 °F) in March 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 10 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 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Zakynthos is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.3 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 11 °C (51.9 °F) and a maximum of 19.5 °C (67.2 °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 2 °C (35.6 °F) in April 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in April 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 9 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 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Zakynthos is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.6 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 14.6 °C (58.2 °F) and a maximum of 24.7 °C (76.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10 °C (49.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7 °C (44.6 °F) in May 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86.5 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in May 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 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 67%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19 °C (66 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Zakynthos is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 24.0 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 18.5 °C (65.3 °F) and a maximum of 29.6 °C (85.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it dropped to 11 °C (51.8 °F) in June 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95.5 °F). However, it reached 39 °C (102.2 °F) in June 2007.
Precipitation amounts to only 7 mm (0.3 in), distributed over 4 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 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 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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In July, the weather in Zakynthos is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 26.6 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 20.8 °C (69.4 °F) and a maximum of 32.4 °C (90.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it dropped to 13 °C (55.4 °F) in July 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (99 °F). However, it reached 42 °C (107.6 °F) in July 2007.
Precipitation amounts to only 6 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 2 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 83% of the time.
The average humidity is 57%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25 °C (77 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In August, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Zakynthos is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 27.1 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 21.4 °C (70.5 °F) and a maximum of 32.8 °C (91 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it dropped to 15 °C (59 °F) in August 2014.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (99 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in August 1999.
Precipitation amounts to only 8 mm (0.3 in), distributed over 3 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 59%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In September, the weather in Zakynthos is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 23.4 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 18.6 °C (65.5 °F) and a maximum of 28.1 °C (82.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14.5 °C (58 °F). However, it dropped to 10 °C (50 °F) in September 1996.
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 37 °C (98.6 °F) in September 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 4 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 68%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25.5 °C (77.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Zakynthos is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.5 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 15.2 °C (59.4 °F) and a maximum of 23.7 °C (74.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10 °C (50.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7 °C (44.6 °F) in October 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82 °F). However, it reached 32 °C (89.6 °F) in October 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 140 mm (5.5 in), distributed over 7 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 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23 °C (73.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Zakynthos is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.6 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 12 °C (53.7 °F) and a maximum of 19.2 °C (66.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °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 26 °C (78.8 °F) in November 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 155 mm (6.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20 °C (68 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Zakynthos is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.4 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 9.2 °C (48.5 °F) and a maximum of 15.6 °C (60.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in December 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67.5 °F). However, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °F) in December 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 200 mm (7.9 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 35 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 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.