Weather for Corfu
Corfu, the most northern of the Greek Islands, is the most popular of the Ionian Islands and experiences a climate that differs from many of its neighboring islands.
Corfu's climate is not quite the typical 'Summer Holiday' type of climate, but it is thoroughly enjoyable despite its differences from other beachside resort locations such as Tenerife and Mykonos.
The appearance of the island reaps the benefits of its unusual weather and the result is a luscious, green landscape inclusive of three million olive trees! Corfu is a cosmopolitan island where you can party just as hard as you can relax, and the weather in the area is suitable for both.
The region receives slightly more rain than other islands which contributes to the beautiful greenery which sits idyllically upon the crystal waters. In recent years the weather in Corfu has been somewhat unpredictable.
The winter of 2002/03 saw the area shattered by heavy rains, causing a severe mudslide near Messonghi beach.
Summers are generally milder in Corfu than the rest of Greece but the area has been experiencing sporadic heat waves in the recent few years.
Summer Weather in Corfu
Summers throughout Greece are typified by relentless sun, long days and minimal rain. Comparatively, Corfu is fairly mild and experiences cooler summers than some of the other islands. Summer 2006 brought a heat wave through May and August which saw temperatures reaching blazing highs of 45 degrees in August.
Apart from this unusual period the barometer rarely rises above 38 degrees in Corfu- understandably still very hot, but mild comparative to the area! June in Corfu is sunny and hot with an average temperature of 24 degrees.
It is the perfect time to visit, relaxing in the sun on the beach (armed with sunscreen and plenty of water!) and partying at night once the evening sea breeze cools the island.
This period is just prior to when the annual Meltemi northern winds hit the area in July and August which can make it somewhat difficult to take part in some activities.
The Meltemi winds blow up to 45 days each summer and is a strong, dry northerly wind which comes off the Aegean Sea.
As a result, in July and August Corfu is particularly windy but some see this as a blessing as it provides a cooling break from the summer heat. The wind at times does make it difficult to do much else other than lie on the beach, as the unpredictable Meltemi storms can make boating activities very dangerous.
July and August see average temperatures at 27 and 29 degrees, and average humidity sits at a comfortable 44- 52 % but can often rise to uncomfortable levels.
Average sea temperatures during this time are a very pleasurable 21 to 24 degrees, so a jump in the water is certainly not going to hit you with a cold snap!
Winter Weather in Corfu
Corfu experiences high rainfall in winter, averaging 12 rain days per month during the season. December sees an average temperature of 11 degrees, with an average high of 16 degrees and an average low of 14 degrees. January and February average daily temperatures of 10 degrees, and humidity during this time rises to 67%. Corfu, just like any of the Greek Islands, clears out in the winter time.
The area is buzzing in the summer time and becomes some what of a ghost town in the winter. This is partly due to the significant drop in temperature, but also due to the difficulty in commuting to the islands during off-peak times. Ferries from Athens run less regularly in the Winter and when they do run are certainly not as enjoyable as in the summertime.
Corfu is still beautiful in the wintertime however, and the lack of tourists makes it much cheaper to experiences (albeit costly to actually get to) and you avoid the battles with throngs of travellers.
There is a considerable amount less hours of sunshine throughout the winter time, with December averaging only 2 hours per day (due to cloud cover), however if you do make it out into the warm sun during these few hours the lush greenery and scenic hills are an enjoyable experience.
Take a look at the weather forecast to help plan your trip.
Autumn/Spring Weather in Corfu
Like a lot of Mediterranean climates, Autumn and Spring see the temperature extremes levelling off and milder conditions prevailing. May is the busiest of the shoulder months, with average temperature at 19 degrees and rainfall lessening; it can be an attractive time to visit if you want to avoid the summer crowds and the summer winds.
In Spring the island has had the winter months to recover from the Summer tourism booms, and is very beautiful as the fresh flowers and greenery have yet to be trampled by throngs of tourists.
The weather conditions are mild, averaging 12 degrees in March and 15 degrees in April. There is generally about 11 days of rain through March, falling to 7 in April and before falling to about 5 rain days in May. Autumn begins with continued high temperatures in the 30's before falling into the mid 20's come the end of September.
Rainfall picks up in late October and throughout November, and average temperature falls to 21 degrees in October and 18 degrees in November.
The beginning of Autumn is still a very enjoyable time to visit the island, as like Spring, the tourists have lessened but the sun is still shining and the tavernas are still open.
The humidity in Corfu can make tropical storms quite likely, so its best to be prepared for a sudden change in weather and expect downpours and theatrical storms. These storms do clear fairly quickly however and the sky returns to clear and the sun continues to shine.