The climate of Crete: when to go to Crete

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The climate of Crete is in a large part of the island a temperate Mediterranean climate, with very hot summers and winters not too cold. Only a small area which includes the island’s southern coast, the plain of Mesara and the mountains of Asterousia is part of the semi-desertic African climate.

Rainfalls are irregulars, they are most abundant in the north than in the south, however, from June to August, virtually does not rain in the whole island. The average annual rainfall in the north of the island of Crete is only 420 mm. The southern coastal area has a much drier climate than the northern coast. Particularly strong are the winds that blow throughout the year. Snow falls between November and April on the high mountains of the island, which exceed 2,400 meters, but it is very rare in other parts of the island.

Summer temperatures are mitigated by the constant blowing of the winds, the average maximum summer temperatures vary between 26 ° C and 28 ° C. Winters are mild with average minimum temperatures vary between 8 ° C and 10 ° C. Along the southern coast the summer and winter temperatures are higher than in the rest of the island.

The temperature of the seawater of ​​Crete is higher than 20 ° C from May to November, while in August it reached 26 ° C.

WHEN TO GO TO CRETE

Any time of year is suitable to visit the island of Crete, the best months are those of spring and the month of September, with pleasant temperatures and low rainfall, the summer is sometimes suffocating, even if the wind mitigates the feeling of hot, but it is the best time for lovers of the sea and the sun.

THE CLIMATE OF CRETE: CLIMATE TABLES

HERAKLION (CRETE) (15 meters)
Month	Average low (°C)	Average high (°C)	Precip. (mm)	Precip. days
January	10,7	16,1	91,5	10,1
February	10,6	16,5	77,4	9,1
March	11,5	18,1	57,4	6,9
April	13,8	21,5	30,0	3,4
May	16,8	25,0	15,2	1,9
June	21,5	28,3	3,2	0,5
July	23,5	29,9	1,0	0,1
August	23,8	29,8	0,7	0,1
September	21,2	27,1	19,5	1,3
October	18,5	24,2	68,8	4,9
November	15,6	21,3	58,8	6,0
December	12,8	17,7	77,1	8,9
YEAR	17,0	23,0	500,6	53,2

CRETE
Month	Sea Water Temperature °C
January	17
February	17
March	17
April	18
May	20
June	23
July	25
August	26
September	25
October	22
November	20
December	18

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