Where we measure the weather
Every number on this page is for one spot: the centre of Athens, at Syntagma Square. From there to the Acropolis, Plaka and Monastiraki the temperature barely changes. In the northern suburbs or by the sea it can differ by 2–3 degrees, so we do not mix them.
The forecast comes from MET Norway, the Norwegian Meteorological Institute. It is also behind the well-known yr.no app and is based on the European ECMWF model. It is updated several times a day, and this page fetches it again every 10 minutes.
How far ahead a forecast can see
- Today and tomorrow: an hour-by-hour forecast, the most accurate.
- 3 to 7 days: reliable for the temperature and for whether it will rain, less so for the exact time of the rain.
- 8 to 10 days: it shows the trend. It can change from one day to the next.
- Beyond 10 days: no service gives a reliable forecast. On the 15-day and month pages we show the usual weather in Athens on those dates, marked «Usually».
The weather in Athens month by month
The averages are those of the National Observatory of Athens for its Thissio station, in the centre, for the years 1991–2020.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13.3° | 7.1° | 56 mm |
| February | 14.2° | 7.3° | 44 mm |
| March | 17.0° | 9.2° | 46 mm |
| April | 21.1° | 12.3° | 28 mm |
| May | 26.5° | 17.0° | 21 mm |
| June | 31.6° | 21.6° | 12 mm |
| July | 34.3° | 24.2° | 11 mm |
| August | 34.3° | 24.4° | 5 mm |
| September | 29.6° | 20.4° | 26 mm |
| October | 24.4° | 16.2° | 39 mm |
| November | 18.9° | 12.2° | 71 mm |
| December | 14.4° | 8.7° | 76 mm |
July and August are the hottest months, with an average high of 34°. On heatwave days the temperature goes above 38°, and the Acropolis may then close at midday. Most of the rain falls from November to January, usually on a few heavy days rather than as steady rain. For when to come, see also our month-by-month guide.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the temperature different from my phone’s app?
Every app uses a different source and often a different spot, for example the airport, about 20 km outside the city. Here the weather is always for the centre, at Syntagma.
What does «Feels like» mean?
It is how warm or cold the body feels, with the wind and the humidity included. With a north wind in winter it drops well below the temperature.
Is the sky on the page real?
It is drawn, but it follows the real weather: if there are clouds, rain or a thunderstorm in the centre, you see them. It also changes with the time, from sunrise to night. To see the city itself, open the live cameras.
How often is it updated?
MET Norway updates the forecast several times a day. The page fetches it again every 10 minutes without you pressing anything. The time of the last update is written under the temperature.
— Kathy