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THE WEATHER IN ITHACA
Usuful links for weather forecasts
http://lachos-ithaki.meteoclub.gr
http://1epal-ithakis.meteoclub.gr
The climate of Ithaca is that of Marine-Mediterranean and is characterized by mild, wet winters and hot, rainless but humid summers.
The sea that surrounds the island is a basic factor that contributes to cooler summers than those experienced on the mainland.
Like the rest of Western Greece, Ithaca receives a high rainfall. On average the annual rainfall is 1025mm. In other words, 1025 litres of water per square meter, or 1025 tonnes of water per acre, fall in a year.
all and the total number of rainy days. The number is rounded-off. On the remaining days on which we have no rainfall there is generally sunshine. The exception is the spring months of April-May during which we have the possibility of cloudy and overcast periods.
The temperature during the day in Ithaca, contrary to what one would find on the mainland, doesn’t present a significantly wide range. Due to the proximity of the sea, extreme weather conditions are infrequent. During the early morning hours of winter, temperatures may reach zero, while during the heat waves of summer, midday temperatures may reach 40 degrees. This happens, however, under exceptional circumstances. We mention, merely for your interest, that during the summer months, the coolest seaside area of the island is Frikes while the warmest is Vathy.
The accompanying graph contains the average lowest temperature, average highest and average temperature for each month.
Winds
During spring and summer the main wind is the North-western (Mistral). It is usual that on summer mornings until midday, there is calm or a slight sea-breeze blowing from the South-east. At about 1pm the wind turns to North-western with strong gusts initially. During the winter months the prevailing wind is from the South-east (Sirocco). With the creation of heavy barometric pressure systems, the Sirocco becomes stormy. The direction of the wind influences the division of rainfall on the island. A western-type wind, (South-western, Western and North-western) benefits the Northern part of the island, while a southern wind (South-western, Southern and South-eastern) brings rain to the Southern part of the island.
Some information regarding the winds would be useful here:
• The harbour of Vathy is only exposed when there is a strong North-western wind.
• The harbour of Frikes is exposed when there is a strong North-eastern wind, while the harbour of Polis is vulnerable to the South-Southwestern wind.
• The Harbour of Kioni is exposed to a strong South-eastern wind and the harbour of Piso Aetos to the South- South-western.
• In the summer, visiting the sandy beach of Platys Ammos in the Gulf of Afales, is advisable before midday. From 1pm onwards, the Mistral begins to blow.
• The strong local North-western wind that blows during summer months in the Gulf of Frikes and in the Straits between Kefallonia and Ithaca, is ideal for sailing and windsurfing.