Island Overview
Clear skies across all ten monitored stations on 21 July 2026. No precipitation. Air temperatures range from 31.5°C in Sitia to 36.6°C in Agios Nikolaos and Elounda. The island is deep in its driest stretch of the year and today delivers exactly what July promises: unbroken sun from coast to coast with no change in sight.
North Coast vs East and South
The north coast is the more comfortable side today. Rethymno is the mildest city on the island at 32.5°C with the lightest winds at 10.9 km/h. Chania sits at 33.5°C with a light breeze of 13.3 km/h. Hersonissos and Malia track close to 33°C with similarly calm conditions. Heraklion is the warmest point on the north coast at 34.2°C, with moderate wind at 20.8 km/h.
The east and south tell a different story. Agios Nikolaos and Elounda both reach 36.6°C, the highest readings on the island, with gusts to 28.3 km/h. Ierapetra hits 35.1°C with the strongest winds at 32.1 km/h. Overnight lows in the south will stay high: Ierapetra holds at 28.9°C after dark, the warmest overnight reading recorded today, typical of this south-facing coast that absorbs and retains heat through the evening.
Mountain Conditions
The White Mountains above Chania and the Dikti range above Heraklion are clear and dry. Higher elevations run 15 to 18 degrees cooler than coastal readings. Gorge walks and upland trails are best started before 09:00 to avoid valley heat and peak UV during the return descent.
Sea State, Wind and UV
The meltemi is the defining factor today. The east coast bears the full effect: Sitia records the highest waves at 0.78m, Agios Nikolaos at 0.66m, Elounda at 0.64m, Makrigialos at 0.42m. The west and north-central coast are sheltered and flat: Chania's maximum wave height is 0.14m, Rethymno 0.18m. Sea temperatures peak on the north-west coast with Chania at 27.5°C and Rethymno at 27.3°C. Despite hotter air temperatures, the east coast sea runs cooler at 25.4 to 25.9°C. UV index sits between 8.25 and 8.5 across the island, classified as very high.
Swim Verdict
Good to excellent at Chania, Rethymno, Hersonissos, and Malia: calm water, warm sea temperatures, and minimal chop. Heraklion is fine with light wave action. Sitia, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, and Makrigialos are not recommended for casual swimmers or children today: meltemi winds and wave heights above 0.5m create tiring and potentially unsafe conditions in open water.
Practical Tip for Today
UV peaks between 11:00 and 15:00. At index 8.5, unprotected skin burns in under 20 minutes. Reapply SPF 50 every 90 minutes on the beach, including after short swims. Sea glare and sand reflection significantly increase exposure beyond what a beach umbrella offsets. A wide-brim hat protects the face and neck more effectively than a cap.
