Comparison of Meteorological Data: Chios and Kardamyla, January – March 2024

A comparison of the meteorological data from two nearby locations on Chios Island, Chios (town) and Kardamyla, for the months of January, February, and March 2024, reveals some interesting climatological patterns. The data includes temperature, rainfall, wind speed, and wind direction, providing a valuable overview of the weather conditions in these Aegean locations.

Temperature

The average temperature shows a steady increase in both areas over the three months:

• Kardamyla:
  • January: 12.4°C
  • February: 13.4°C
  • March: 13.9°C
• Chios town:
  • January: 11.9°C
  • February: 13.0°C
  • March: 14.1°C

The temperatures in both areas are quite similar, with Chiostown recording slightly higher average temperatures in February and March compared to Kardamyla. This might be due to differences in local topography and exposure to wind patterns.

Rainfall

Rainfall varies across the three months, with significant precipitation recorded in both locations:

• Kardamyla:
  • January: Total rainfall 87.6 mm (maximum daily: 19.2 mm)
  • February: Total rainfall 70.4 mm (maximum daily: 49.4 mm on February 12)
  • March: Total rainfall 63.2 mm (maximum daily: 28.2 mm on March 5)
• Chios town:
  • January: 54.8 mm
  • February: 82.8 mm (maximum daily: 43.6 mm on February 12)
  • March: 69.6 mm (maximum daily: 25.4 mm on March 5)

Both locations experienced heavy rainfall in February, with Chiostown recording a maximum daily rainfall of 43.6 mm on the 12th, close to the 49.4 mm recorded in Kardamyla on the same day. This indicates a shared weather event, likely an intense storm system affecting both areas.

Wind

Wind speeds in both locations show similar patterns of strong winds during winter and early spring, with some days registering high gusts:

• Kardamyla:
  • January: Maximum wind speed 85.3 km/h
  • February: Maximum wind speed 82.1 km/h
  • March: Maximum wind speed 77.2 km/h
• Chios town:
  • January: Maximum wind speed 90.1 km/h
  • February: Maximum wind speed 67.6 km/h
  • March: Maximum wind speed 66.0 km/h

Chiostown recorded the highest wind speeds in January (90.1 km/h), while the wind intensity decreased slightly in February and March. In contrast, Kardamyla experienced consistently high wind speeds throughout the three months. Northerly and north-northeasterly winds dominate in both areas, with southern winds occurring during stormy conditions.

Conclusions

Several key conclusions can be drawn from this comparison:

1. Temperature: Temperatures rise gradually as spring approaches, with Chiostown showing slightly higher average temperatures than Kardamyla during February and March.
2. Rainfall: Both locations experienced significant rainfall, particularly in February. The high daily rainfall values on February 12 suggest a shared intense weather event affecting both locations.
3. Wind: Strong winds are a consistent feature in both areas, with Chiostown experiencing slightly higher maximum wind speeds in January but Kardamyla maintaining stronger winds throughout the three-month period.

Overall, the weather conditions in Chios (town) and Kardamyla are quite similar, with local topographical and geographical factors influencing small variations in temperature, rainfall, and wind speeds.