Island Overview
A thick blanket of cloud covers Crete from west to east on 14 November, though no significant rain is falling across most of the island. Temperatures are well above mid-November norms, with highs reaching 29°C at Malia and a comfortable 25 to 27°C across most coastal towns. The feel is more late October than deep autumn.
North vs South
The north coast runs warm and dry. Malia tops the chart at 29°C and Chania comes close at 27°C. Wind, however, splits the coast sharply: Chania sits in near-calm at 6 km/h while Hersonissos, Rethymno and Heraklion face gusts between 34 and 41 km/h along the central and east-central stretch. The south coast tells a different story. Ierapetra records light showers with 0.5 mm of rain and a high of only 22°C. Both Ierapetra and Makrigialos sit four to six degrees below the warmest north-coast readings, making the east-south pocket noticeably cooler and more unsettled today.
Mountains
The White Mountains above Chania and Psiloritis in the centre are buried in cloud. No snowfall is expected at summit level, but temperatures above 1,500 m will be in single figures. Hikers heading into the gorges or onto higher trails should pack an extra layer and check local conditions before setting out.
Sea, Wind and UV
Sea temperatures hold at a consistent 21.1 to 21.8°C across all monitored points. Wave heights are modest: 0.38 m at Heraklion, up to 0.76 m at Hersonissos on the north coast, and slightly higher on the south coast with 0.90 m at Ierapetra and 0.92 m off Makrigialos. UV sits in the moderate band (index 3.6 to 4.25), diffused by cloud cover, but sunscreen around midday is still worth applying. The main hazard today is the strong wind corridor running from Heraklion east to Hersonissos, where gusts exceed 40 km/h.
Swim Verdict
Swimming is comfortable for most of the island. The 21°C sea is warm enough for a relaxed dip and waves are non-threatening at all monitored beaches. The exception is the central north coast from Heraklion to Hersonissos, where strong gusts make open-water swimming unpleasant and tiring. Chania in the west and the Elounda and Ag. Nikolaos area in the east offer the best conditions today.
Practical Tip
Motorcyclists and cyclists riding the E75 coastal road between Heraklion and Hersonissos should exercise extra caution today. Crosswinds of 40 km/h or more are forecast along this exposed stretch of the north coast. If you are flexible, the Chania coast is the most sheltered option on the island right now.
