Greek weather beginning of October

[Fenders]

I am planning a sail beginning of October and my main concern is the weather.
I have chartered in Greece for many years but never this late in the season.
Has anyone any knowledge of weather trends that time of year in Greece?

My first choice would be the Ionian. I have heard that the weather tends to deteriorate in the Ionian before the other more easterly cruising areas in Greece.

Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[jimbaerselman]

My first choice would be the Ionian. I have heard that the weather tends to deteriorate in the Ionian before the other more easterly cruising areas in Greece.
.

True.

First bout of unsettled weather usually starts in the Ionian mid September. By mid October you will have seen at least a couple of periods of cloudy weather with thunderstorms. Sea is warm though!

South of the Patras Gulf latitude, say Rhodes, Kos, S Turkey, S Aegean Islands, weather is often clear until beginning of October.

 

[Whiskey Bravo]

We did 'Sailing Holidays; delivery trip from Epidavros via Gulf of Corinth up to Corfu last October, starting on the 8th. In 2 weeks we experienced everything from baking hot flat calm to one of the worst electrical storms we've ever sailed in. Needless to say we're booked again this October. Winds were generally fine, apart from flat calm days of which there were only one or two if I remember correctly.

 

[Halcyon Yachts]

October is usually OK in the Ionian, but it is very changeable. Heavy showers and thunderstorms are certainly possible!

Pete

 

[Steve C Cronin]

We are usually there in October and yes you have to watch the weather a bit more. We stood off the Corfu Citadel for an hour or so around 18th Oct last year on a trip back from Corinth to let a rather large thunderhead pass by before approaching "home" at Gouvia Marina. Vis was right down and several returning charter boats stayed on our tail!

You also have to consider a period later in the month known as "The Summer of Agios Dimitrios" when the weather is mild and settled for a couple of weeks on a very regular basis!

 

[macd]

It's impossible to be definitive about it, especially this year, which was unusually late in settling down into the normal summer patterns throught the Eastern Med (and Western too, from what I heard). However, as mentioned above it's often the case that a week or more of very unsettled, thundery weather arrives at some point in the early autumn; equally typical, is that this subsides into settled summery weather which can be quite the best time of year. The OP will be hoping the latter comes in early October: it might, it might not.

 

[Fenders]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.

Last week in September last year I took a boat from Corfu (Gouvia) to Kalamaki. Winds were very light and variable except for one day as we passed Patras on our way to the canal. That day we had F4/5. Brilliant sailing.

Thanks again

Fenders