Crete weather: climate averages and the day ahead
Crete weather needs two different views: the long-term pattern used to choose dates, and the conditions that determine a particular day’s plans. The monthly figures here come from the Japan Meteorological Agency’s table for Heraklion Airport, station 16754, with the normal period 1991 to 2020. They describe that measurement location, so use them as a reference rather than as a single weather reading for every coast and mountain on the island.
The temperature column is a monthly mean. It is not an expected afternoon maximum, a night-time minimum or a sea temperature. Rainfall is the normal precipitation total for the month. Neither column tells you which day will be wet, when a shower will arrive or whether a boat can sail. Keep those distinctions in mind when comparing dates or deciding how tightly to arrange outdoor visits.
For the wider choice between a cultural programme, coast and walking, turn to the best time to visit Crete guide. For an individual outing, combine the forecast for the destination with current warnings and the actual departure arrangements.
Monthly temperature and rainfall at Heraklion Airport
In this station series, the summer months have higher mean temperatures and lower precipitation totals than the winter months. The differences are useful for broad planning, but a monthly total is not a count of rainy days. It also does not specify how rain is distributed within the month. Avoid reading a small value as a promise of uninterrupted sunshine.
Keep the station name and reference period attached to the figures when comparing them with another climate table. A table for another location or period answers a different question. The values below retain just the two parameters supplied by this JMA series.
| Month | Monthly mean °C | Precipitation mm |
|---|---|---|
| January | 12.2 | 98.6 |
| February | 12.3 | 79.1 |
| March | 13.9 | 37.2 |
| April | 16.6 | 25.3 |
| May | 20.5 | 14.2 |
| June | 24.4 | 1.6 |
| July | 26.6 | 0.6 |
| August | 26.7 | 3.4 |
| September | 24.1 | 15.7 |
| October | 20.9 | 55.8 |
| November | 17.1 | 65.7 |
| December | 13.8 | 94.9 |
Our picks: Weather
For a sea day, this Balos trip includes lunch; check conditions and the booked transfer option.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of November 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
A catamaran option for a suitable sailing day
Balos from Kissamos with lunch and snorkelling equipment; the Chania meeting-point transfer requires the selected option.
Wind, Meltemi and time on the water
Wind is a separate planning issue from a monthly mean temperature. Do not select a sailing date on the assumption that a named month guarantees calm water or a particular Meltemi pattern. The Greek Civil Protection guidance advises avoiding activities at sea and along coasts during storms. Apply the warning to the place and date of the outing rather than substituting a universal wind threshold.
A Balos catamaran outing starts from Kissamos port. Its inclusions cover lunch, snacks, seasonal fruit, drinks and use of snorkelling equipment. Transfer from a meeting point in Chania is included only when that option is selected. The equipment is a practical part of the offer; the day’s sea conditions still belong in the decision about water activities.
Keep the harbour journey separate from time on board when planning the day. A forecast for your accommodation does not replace information for the departure area. The boat-trip guide helps compare departure regions, so the weather decision and the transport decision refer to the same place.
Walking plans and dated access notices
Samaria Gorge is seasonally closed from 1 November 2026 to 9 April 2027 according to the Greek NECCA portal. Treat that dated closure as an access constraint, regardless of how appealing a particular day’s weather looks. For a later walking plan, use the hiking guide and the access information for the intended date. The end of the stated closure does not promise reopening the next day.
Fire precautions also need their own time frame. The regional access decision of 16 June 2026 belonged to the fire season ending on 31 October 2026 and applied to defined areas and danger levels. For a later trip, consult the notices for that trip rather than extending the old seasonal decision. General Civil Protection advice remains practical: avoid fire in woodland or dry grass, and respect access restrictions.
Build a day with room to change its order
Leave some flexibility between an outdoor visit and the rest of the route. Reconsider exposed coastal plans when warnings call for it, and check the opening arrangements of any replacement visit. A climate table is most helpful before travel; forecasts, access notices and departure information become more important as the day approaches. Keeping these jobs separate makes the table useful without asking it to predict an individual excursion.
Frequently asked questions
Are the temperatures daily highs?
They are monthly means for Heraklion Airport in the JMA normal period 1991 to 2020. Use a forecast for the day and location of your visit.
Does low rainfall mean a calm sea?
Rainfall and wind answer different questions. Consider local warnings and departure information separately when planning a sailing or swimming day.
Can good weather make Samaria available during the closure?
The NECCA seasonal closure runs from 1 November 2026 to 9 April 2027. Plan walking around the applicable access notice, then assess weather for the chosen route.