A dry, hot Thursday across Crete. No rain is expected anywhere on the island today. The east and south lead the heat with highs approaching 35°C, while the north and west sit in the low 30s. UV is high throughout. Heraklion starts the day under fog that should lift by mid-morning.
North and West Coast
Chania is the most comfortable city today, reaching 31.3°C with light winds of just 11 km/h and mainly clear skies. Rethymno peaks at 30.1°C under a clear sky with winds around 16 km/h. Heraklion climbs to 32.4°C once the morning fog clears, with afternoon winds picking up to 23 km/h. Hersonissos and Malia top out around 30 to 31°C with winds near 19 km/h under mainly clear conditions.
East and South Coast
The hottest spots today are in the east and along the south coast. Ag. Nikolaos and Elounda both reach 34.7°C under clear skies, with winds around 24 km/h. Makrigialos matches that high at 34.6°C. Ierapetra sees the island's strongest winds at 35 km/h and a maximum of 33.9°C, with overnight lows staying above 28°C. This persistent heat and elevated wind on the south coast is consistent with meltemi patterns in late August. Sitia, further east, stays a few degrees cooler at 30.3°C.
Mountain Areas
No station data is available for the Lefka Ori or Psiloritis ranges, but with coastal temperatures in the low to mid-30s, summit areas above 1,500 metres will likely sit in the high teens to low 20s. If you plan to hike, start early and carry at least two litres of water per person.
Sea Conditions, Wind and UV
Sea temperatures are warm across the island, ranging from 26.3°C at Makrigialos to 27.5°C at Rethymno. Wave heights are low: between 0.66 metres at Ierapetra and Makrigialos and 1.08 metres at Sitia. The UV index peaks at 7.85 in Rethymno, firmly in the high category. SPF 30 or above is necessary and should be reapplied every two hours, especially for children.
Swim Verdict
Conditions are favorable island-wide. The sea is warm, calm, and clear. The exception is the south coast around Ierapetra and Makrigialos, where surface winds of 30 to 35 km/h can create choppy conditions close to open beaches. Protected coves in those areas will still offer good swimming. Everywhere else on the island: good to excellent.
Practical Tip for the Day
UV crosses level 7 by mid-morning at every location measured today. Apply sunscreen before you leave your accommodation, not when you arrive at the beach. If you are spending time in Heraklion this morning, allow extra time: the fog may slow traffic and reduce visibility on the coastal road east of the city.
