Island Overview
A significant autumn low is crossing Crete on Friday 2 October 2026, bringing thunderstorms to the north and west while the south coast stays dry under heavy cloud. The contrast between the two coasts is sharp: Rethymno records up to 89.5 mm of rainfall today, while Ierapetra and Makrigialos report zero precipitation. Temperatures reflect the divide too, with the north holding at 18 to 19°C and the south reaching a warmer 22°C.
North and West Coast
Rethymno is the hardest hit, with 89.5 mm of rain and winds gusting to 26 km/h. Chania follows with 60.4 mm and Heraklion with 34.8 mm. Hersonissos and Malia each see around 44 mm. The sea along the north coast is rough: Chania faces wave heights up to 3 m, while Hersonissos and Malia sit at 1.8 m. Sitia, further east, has lighter rain at 10.8 mm but is still under a thunderstorm sky.
East and South Coast
Ag. Nikolaos, Elounda, Makrigialos, and Ierapetra remain dry throughout the day, though thick cloud keeps them overcast. The trade-off is wind: Ierapetra gusts to 43 km/h and Makrigialos to 32 km/h. Wave heights are much calmer in comparison, between 0.4 m at Ierapetra and 1.4 m near Elounda. These are the best conditions on the island today.
Mountain Areas
The White Mountains and Mount Ida are fully in cloud, with heavy rain likely above 800 m. Drivers crossing mountain passes should expect wet and slippery roads. Gorge walks and high-altitude hikes are not advisable today. Plan mountain excursions for another day.
Sea Temperature, Wind and UV
Sea temperatures remain warm for early October, ranging from 24°C at Rethymno to 25.3°C at Ierapetra. UV is moderate across the island: values reach 6 at Makrigialos and 5.85 at Ierapetra, so sun protection is still worthwhile in the south if skies clear briefly. Under storm cloud on the north coast, UV stays low at 2 to 4.
Swim Verdict
Do not enter the water on the north coast today. Chania's 3 m waves and active thunderstorm risk make sea entry unsafe. Along the south coast, conditions are manageable: Ierapetra has waves under 0.4 m and Makrigialos under 0.6 m, both with no rain and warm sea at 25°C. A swim is feasible there, though the strong onshore wind calls for caution at entry and exit. Elounda and Ag. Nikolaos are borderline, with 1.3 to 1.4 m swells and gusts reaching 29 km/h.
Practical Tip for the Day
If you have transport and flexibility, head east toward the Lasithi coast. The stretch from Ag. Nikolaos to Ierapetra offers the best conditions on the island today: dry skies, warm sea, and temperatures around 22°C. Pack a windbreaker for the coast and keep a rain jacket in the car if you plan to head inland or cross a mountain road.
