Today's weather for Sivota, Greece24th Nov 2009 20:50

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Weather Overview for Sivota

Sivota has a mild Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild, rainy winters. The resort sits on the northwest Ionian coast of Greece in the region of Epirus. The majority of Epirus has an Alpine climate due to its mountainous terrain, but Sivota receives the warmer Mediterranean climate due to its low elevation on the coast.

Summer, from June till September, is hot and mostly dry. The average high temperature climbs to 26°C in June and steadily up to a peak of 29°C in August before dropping quite quickly to 25°C in September. The northern meltemi wind helps to temper the heat but the mountains rising behind Sivota can slightly reduce the effect. Night times remain hot, around 20°C; despite low humidity this can still be a little uncomfortable. Rainfall is very low but light showers are more likely here than in more southerly or easterly Greece.

Autumn, in October and November, is mild but unpredictable. The average high temperature drops to 22°C in October and 17°C in November. Night times become cool in October, which has an average low of 14°C, and almost cold in November at 11°C. Rainfall quickly increases and sunshine quickly reduces as clouds cover the sky. However, the beginning of the season is still very pleasant with temperatures regularly in the low 20s and the sun still lasting for long periods. November is very wet; while temperatures are fine for walking, intermittently grey skies and rain might put off a late autumn visitor.

Winter, from January till February, is very mild but cooler than in Greece’s more southerly resorts. The average high drops 13°C in December and to its annual low point of 12°C for January and February, which requires a few layers and a coat. Night time lows of 6°C are the norm, but it can get down to freezing. Frosts are rare but not unheard of. Colder spells are possible when winds blow down from the snowy mountains. December is the wettest month in the year receiving 136 mm of rain, but rainfall dramatically lessens from the end of the month. While January and February are much drier, the sun does not necessarily become more reliable.

Spring, from March till May, quickly warms up. The average high increases to 14°C in March, 18°C in April and 22°C in May. Conditions are almost as changeable as in winter; the stronger sun can randomly send temperatures up into the low 20s from the beginning of April; but wet and grey weather can settle in for days. At first the clouds are quite stubborn but they begin to retreat more and more as the season progresses.

Sivota owes its climate to its location in northwest Greece on the Ionian coast. Epirus is the wettest region of Greece due to the Dinaric Alps and Pindus Mountains, and as such is thickly forested. Sivota is afforded some protection from the wettest of Epirus’s weather by these mountains. It does not get as cold in winter or as hot in summer due to the Ionian Sea which has a moderating effect on coastal temperatures. Its rugged coast channels the prevailing winds, creating perfect windsurfing conditions.

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