Greece
8 cities
Climate overview
Greece extends from 34°48′ to 41°45′N across southeastern Europe at the southern end of the Balkan peninsula, covering approximately 131,957 km² of highly mountainous terrain with the Pindos chain forming the spine, rising to Smolikas at 2,631 m, Mount Olympus at 2,917 m as the highest peak, the rugged Peloponnese, Crete with Mount Ida at 2,456 m, and roughly 6,000 islands scattered across the Aegean and Ionian seas. This topography produces a strong climate gradient: hot-summer Mediterranean Csa dominates the south, the islands, and most coasts including Athens, Heraklion, and Rhodes; warm-summer Mediterranean Csb prevails on the higher slopes; semi-arid BSk covers most of Thessaloniki; and humid subtropical Cfa or continental Dfa characterizes the northern continental interior around Florina and Drama.
Athens sees January highs of 13°C with nights of 7°C and July highs of 34°C, with 400 mm of rainfall almost entirely concentrated October through April, bone-dry summers, and frequent meltemi northerlies. Heraklion on Crete sees January highs of 15°C with nights of 9°C and July highs of 30°C, with 430 mm. Thessaloniki shows continental influence, with January highs of 9–11°C and nights of 2–3°C and July highs of 32°C, with 470 mm and occasional winter snow.
Ioannina in the Pindos uplands sees January highs of 9°C with nights near 0°C and July highs of 31°C, with 1,090 mm and reliable winter snow on the surrounding peaks. Mount Olympus summit has a deep winter snowpack. Major climate events include the 2018 Mati wildfires that killed 104 people near Athens, the 2007 and 2021 fire seasons, the June 2007 heatwave that reached 47.5°C near Athens, the September 2023 Storm Daniel that brought record rainfall and major floods to Thessaly, recurring Athens summer heatwaves, repeated droughts, and water-supply stress on Aegean islands.
Our archive covers 8 Greek cities with daily ERA5 reanalysis data going back to 1940. The hottest July afternoons are in Kallithéa, with average highs around 33.7°C, while Thessaloníki has the coldest January nights, with average lows near 1.9°C. Comparing the last decade against the 1940–1970 baseline, mean temperatures across these cities have risen by about 1.4°C.
How the climate has shifted in Greece
Average across 8 cities with full ERA5 coverage: 1940–1970 baseline vs the last decade (2016–2025).
- Annual mean temperature
- 17.6°C→19.0°C
- Days above 30°C per year
- 82 days→95 days+12
- Frost days per year
- 7 days→4 days−3
- Tropical nights (≥20°C) per year
- 78 nights→96 nights+18
Warmest year in the record so far: 2024.
What's unusual right now
From a snapshot of the world's largest cities updated each hour. Today's mean temperature compared with each city's long-term average for the same calendar date (ERA5 climatology, 1940 onward). Last 30 days uses each city's rolling daily-mean vs its monthly average. Not a global ranking.
Running warm
Warmer than usual