Climate Insights for Gjirokastër

The climate in Gjirokastër is temperate. The average annual temperature is 14°C and approximately 1543mm of precipitation falls per year. November is the wettest month, receiving around 318mm of rainfall. Gjirokastër is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: July, August, June. The coldest months are January, February, December, when temperatures can drop to 1°C. Light snow can occur between January and February.

Temperatures in Gjirokastër vary considerably across the year, with a 29°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is July, when average highs reach 30°C and the mean temperature sits around 24°C. January is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 1°C and an average of 5°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 11°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between May and June, with a 5°C shift in average temperatures.

Gjirokastër is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1543mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 129mm per month. The wettest month is November, averaging 318mm of rainfall. December and January also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is July, with just 23mm. That's 295mm less than November, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic. Light snowfall can occur between January and February, totalling around 18cm annually. January is the snowiest month with approximately 10cm.

Gjirokastër is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 5km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is February, averaging 5km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in June, with average winds dropping to 5km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 0km/h between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently autumn in Gjirokastër, which began on September 23, 2026. Gjirokastër is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in July at around 30°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near 1°C. Winter is next, beginning on December 21, 2026 (87 days from now).

The best time to visit Gjirokastër is during June, July, August and September, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 22°C with modest rainfall averaging 48mm per month. By contrast, January can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 1°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Gjirokastër based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.