RHODES - WEATHER

When to Visit Rhodes

Rhodes is one of the most southern islands in Greece and has a milder climate than the Cyclades and the islands and mainland to the north. Therefore Rhodes has always had the longest season of any of the islands, lasting from the beginning of April until the end of November. But you could visit Rhodes from December until the end of March and have a good time too. The city is large enough so that it does not close down in the winter. There are shops, restaurants, cafes and hotels open all year and though there will be a majority of days when it will be too cold to swim there will still be plenty to see and the experience of exploring the old city without all the tourists around is something to look forward to.

Keep in mind that there are fewer island connections in the winter and getting from Rhodes to Santorini and the other Cyclades, which is hard to do even in the summer is much more difficult in the winter. There is a ferry to Crete which continues on to Milos and Santorini a couple times a week but this is a long trip, especially in the winter when the open sea can be rough.

Summer

Rhodes enjoys long, hot summers where sunshine reigns and rainfall is very unlikely. This makes it the main tourist season for the island. June to September can be classed as the summer period. The average high temperature sits at 82°F at the beginning and end of the season, reaching a peak of 88°F in July and August. Day time temperatures can reach into the 100s, usually if the sirocco wind from the Sahara blows bringing with it the hot, dry weather of the desert. The temperature rarely drops below 68°F even at night throughout the summer. Relief from the heat of the high summer comes to Rhodes in the form of the northwest Meltimi wind. This prevails from May till October and is strongest between July and September when it is most needed. Coastal areas receive the main benefit of the meltemi as it loses strength inland or is blocked by the mountainous terrain. Rain is almost unheard of in the summer months, especially in July and August which average 0.1mm of rain each. June and September will see only one rainy day per month on average. Expect plenty of sunshine and hot weather during the summer, and make sure to pack your sun cream.

Autumn

Autumn sees very pleasant temperatures. This makes it a good time to visit the island if you want fewer tourists or an energetic break, summer can be too hot for cycling around the island or other strenuous activities. The sea is still warm enough for swimming, remaining above 68°F until late November. October has average daytime highs in the mid 70s and November in the low 70s. Temperatures don`t drop much below the mid 50`s even at night. The only negative point against an autumn visit is the increased chance of rain. However, October still only sees five rainy days on average and November seven. This is still low and the sun remains in ascendancy, but don`t be surprised if you get the odd downpour.

Winter

Winters in Rhodes are mild, but wet. On average, over 60% of the island's annual rainfall falls between December and February. January is the wettest with 14 rainy days on average seeing 148mm of rain over the month. However, there are still many days when the weather is most favorable. A sunny day in December can see temperatures reaching up to 70°F. January and February are a little cooler but temperatures rarely drop too far into the 50`s. In general, Rhodes' winters are more like a northern European spring, making it a popular place to escape the cold harsh winters of those regions.

Spring

Spring has increasingly favorable weather conditions and reaps the rewards of the wet winter in terms of the blossoming landscape. Again, it's much quieter than the busy summer months and temperatures are very comfortable. Things start to warm up again from March when average highs get into the low 60's. By May daytime temperatures are in the mid 70's. Sunshine levels steadily climb and in May ten hours can be expected per day. March still sees a decent amount of rainfall, but it steadily decreases and by May rain is rare. A swim in the sea at this time can be a little bracing; the water doesn't fully warm up until June.