Spring Weather in Crete
After a cold, wet winter, the weather begins to improve in Crete in spring. This season which is classed as April and May starts off with a low average temperature of 17°C which quickly jumps up to a much warmer 24°C by the end of the season.
At this time of year, average highs are 20°C and 24°C, respectively, while average lows are 10°C-12°C, respectively.
How Much Does It Rain In Crete?
Rainfall drops significantly during this season, down from 21mm over six days in April to a meagre 11mm, which is just over three days of rain. If you don't want to see rain on your holiday, you're best off visiting the island toward the end of May.
Spring Sunshine Hours
The sunlight hours rapidly increase in May with six daily sunshine hours in April and eight daily sunshine hours in May.
So although you're bound to get the odd cloudy spell during your spring holiday in Crete, you'll rarely get a totally overcast day and the sun will shine for at least a short while each day.
How Warm Is The Sea In Crete?
Spring is preferable to autumn in terms of both rain and sunshine, but unfortunately, the sea remains too cold for swimming throughout the season. The average sea temperature is a cold 17°C in April and a slightly warmer 19°C in May.
Summer Weather in Crete
How Warm Is Crete In Summer?
Summer usually June to September is the most popular time to visit Crete, when temperatures are high and there's hardly any rain. At this time of year, the average temperature is around 24°C, peaking at 26°C in July and August, which are the hottest months of the year.
There is a big difference between day and evening temperatures average highs range from 28°C to 29°C, while average lows range between 18°C and 22°C.
This sharp decrease in temperature after sunset provides welcome relief for travellers struggling with the heat of the Mediterranean sunshine.
Although these average low temperatures are very mild, they can feel a couple of degrees cooler than they actually are, due to low humidity and the sea breeze blowing in off the coast.
Sirocco Winds
Although temperatures generally keep under 30°C, they can rise up to a stifling 40°C in the south, when the island's weather is affected by siroccos hot winds blown over from the Sahara Desert in Northern Africa.
Sirocco winds first hit the south of Crete and blow northward, bringing with them extremely high temperatures, aridity and airborne sand. As a result, the sky can become hazy and the air can often appear dusty.
Meltemi Wind
Crete's prevailing wind is from the northwest and is known as the Meltemi. This cool wind is coveted by sailors, windsurfers and kite surfers, as well as sunbathing holidaymakers in need of some relief from the sizzling summer sunshine.
Sunshine Hours and Sea Temperature
At this time of year, Crete experiences a huge number of daily sunshine hours 11 in June, 13 in July (the sunniest month) 12 in August and 10 in September.
During this season, the average temperature of the sea around the island is remarkably warm, ranging from lows of 22°C in June up to highs of 25°C in August.
How Much Rain Does Crete Get In Summer?
Rainfall is extremely unlikely to occur in summer in Crete. July through August sees a tiny average of 1mm each month and September has just a smidge more at 10mm falling over an average of two days.
Autumn Weather in Crete
Autumn Temperatures In Crete
Autumn is usually classed as October and November in Crete and it's a fair bit cooler than summer. But compared to most of northern Europe, the island is still very mild.
In October the average temperature starts off at 20°C and drops to 17°C in November.
Holidaying in Crete in autumn is best for travellers who don't mind the odd overcast or rainy day. It's also an excellent month to visit if you want to avoid crowds at the of the peak season.
Average highs of 24°C-21°C during the day make this a great time to visit Crete for sightseeing and exploring, instead of lounging by the pool or at the beach.
With just six hours of daily sunshine in October and three hours of daily sunshine in November, you won't get much chance to sunbathe at this time of year, anyway.
The sea retains the heat from summer during this season, when the average sea temperature is 23°C in October and 20°C in November. So even if the sky is overcast, the sea will still be warm enough for a swim.
Evening Weather In Autumn In Crete
Autumn evenings in Crete can get very chilly, with an average low temperature of 16°C in October and 13°C in November. Due to the low humidity and cool breeze which blows in from the coast, evening temperatures often seem cooler than they actually are.
Heavy Autumn Rain
After an extremely dry summer, the heavens open in Crete in autumn, when rainfall drastically increases. October sees an average of 40mm of rain falling over an average of six wet days. And in November you can expect eight wet days.
Winter Weather in Crete
How Cold Is Crete In Winter?
The winter months in Crete are from December to March when the weather is mild but wet and blustery. During this month, the average temperature is around 13°C, peaking at 14°C in December and March and dropping down to a low of 11°C in January, the coolest month of the year.
During the daytime, average highs are 16°C-17°C andaverage lows drop to 10°C-8°C. With such cool nights, you should pack plenty of winter clothing.
Does It Snow in Crete?
Sub-zero temperatures and snow are rare in the coastal areas of Crete, although they're not totally foreign. In February 2004, temperatures dropped to a record low of -0.8°C and a light dusting of snow covered the whole island.
Don't let these freak conditions put you off visiting Crete, as the island is generally much warmer than more northern holiday destinations. Temperatures can sometimes rise up to 20°C when the sky is clear and sunny.
Does It Rain In Crete?
How Winter sees the most rain for Crete. December has the most rainfall with 89mm of rain which falls on nine wet days. January has the highest number of wet days, with 78mm of precipitation falling on 14 rainy days.
Is Crete Sunny In WInter?
The number of sunshine hours plummets to an average of four in winter, peaking at five daily hours in March. This translates into lots of cloudy, overcast weather, but the sun should still poke its head out for short spells each day.
The low sunshine hours and a chilly sea temperature of 15°C-17°C, makes a day at the beach quite a brave decision.