The table below lists the weather averages for the city of Heraklion, on the north coast of Crete.
Weather Statistics are based on last decade’s data.

Temperature (Air and Sea)

Other useful Weather Statistics (Average)

Crete enjoys a warm and temperate Mediterranean climate with an average 300 days of sunshine per year, especially from April to October.
The climate of the island is mainly characterized by mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers.

As Crete is extremely mountainous, there are significantly different weather conditions between its northern and southern parts.
The mountains create a barrier, blocking the northerly winds and the clouds to reach the south coast of the island.
As a result, it may be raining in the north and at the same time be sunny in the south.

Winter usually starts in the middle of December and lasts until March.
It is calm and humid, depending on the proximity to the sea.
The colder months are January and February.
In the mountains, it is always snowing during these months but that is not the case in low- lying coastal areas and plains.
Winter also features many rains, mostly in the prefecture of Chania, in west Crete in relation to the east part of the island, the Lasithi prefecture.
Its mild climate year-long, is considered among the healthiest in the Mediterranean.

Both rainfalls and the presence of clouds increase as we move from the east to the west and from the coastline to the mainland.
The mainland has generally warmer summers and colder winters, while the southern coasts are warmer all year round.
The plains of Crete, especially the Messara plain and Asterousia Mountains in the prefecture of Heraklion, feature significantly less rainfalls and high temperatures throughout the year.

In spring temperatures range between 16 to 20 degrees Celsius, there are often rainy days but the sea temperature rises gradually.
During spring, southern Crete receives a wave of hot air from the desert of Libya.
These dry and windy days are unusually hot but last few days.

During the Cretan summer, average temperatures range between the high 20s-low 30s degrees Celsius (mid 80s to mid 90s Fahrenheit), and occasionally reach the upper 30s-mid 40s.
Rainfall is rare during the summer months.

The hottest months are July and August, but the etesian winds which blow steadily from northern to northwestern directions, bring cold continental air, moderating the heat.
Their name derives from the Greek word “etesios” which means “annual”, although they are widely known as “meltemia”.
They reach their maximum speeds around early afternoon, therefore a swim in calmer waters is more probable early in the morning.

Like spring, there are occasional rainfalls and cloudy days in autumn.
There are also days when the temperature rises up to 25 degrees Celsius but overall it still is a season to head to the beach as the sea temperature is close to 23 degrees until about late October when the rainy season starts.