Climate
Crete has a warm Mediterranean climate. Summers in the lowlands are hot and dry with clear skies. Dry hot days are often relieved by seasonal breezes. The mountain areas are much cooler, with considerable rain in the winter. Winters are mild in the lowlands with rare frost and snow. Because Heraklion is further south than Athens, it has a milder climate.
| Climate data for Heraklion | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average high °C (°F) | 15.2 (59.4) |
15.5 (59.9) |
16.8 (62.2) |
20.2 (68.4) |
23.5 (74.3) |
27.3 (81.1) |
28.6 (83.5) |
28.4 (83.1) |
26.4 (79.5) |
23.1 (73.6) |
20.1 (68.2) |
17.0 (62.6) |
21.9 (71.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 12.1 (53.8) |
12.3 (54.1) |
13.3 (55.9) |
16.1 (61.0) |
19.2 (66.6) |
23.2 (73.8) |
25.2 (77.4) |
25.1 (77.2) |
22.9 (73.2) |
19.8 (67.6) |
16.8 (62.2) |
14.0 (57.2) |
18.4 (65.1) |
| Average low °C (°F) | 9.0 (48.2) |
9.0 (48.2) |
9.8 (49.6) |
12.0 (53.6) |
14.9 (58.8) |
19.0 (66.2) |
21.7 (71.1) |
21.7 (71.1) |
19.3 (66.7) |
16.5 (61.7) |
13.4 (56.1) |
10.9 (51.6) |
14.8 (58.6) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 91.5 (3.602) |
77.4 (3.047) |
57.4 (2.26) |
30.0 (1.181) |
15.2 (0.598) |
3.2 (0.126) |
1.0 (0.039) |
0.7 (0.028) |
19.5 (0.768) |
68.8 (2.709) |
58.8 (2.315) |
77.1 (3.035) |
500.6 (19.709) |
| Avg. precipitation days | 10.1 | 9.1 | 6.9 | 3.4 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 4.9 | 6.0 | 8.9 | 53.2 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 117.8 | 124.7 | 176.7 | 228.0 | 300.7 | 351.0 | 372.0 | 347.2 | 282.0 | 198.4 | 150.0 | 120.9 | 2,769.4 |
| Source: Hong Kong Observatory | |||||||||||||
Read more about this topic: Heraklion
Famous quotes containing the word climate:
“When we consider how much climate contributes to the happiness of our condition, by the fine sensation it excites, and the productions it is the parent of, we have reason to value highly the accident of birth in such a one as that of Virginia.”
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)
“A positive learning climate in a school for young children is a composite of many things. It is an attitude that respects children. It is a place where children receive guidance and encouragement from the responsible adults around them. It is an environment where children can experiment and try out new ideas without fear of failure. It is an atmosphere that builds children’s self-confidence so they dare to take risks. It is an environment that nurtures a love of learning.”
—Carol B. Hillman (20th century)
“If often he was wrong and at times absurd,
To us he is no more a person
Now but a whole climate of opinion.”
—W.H. (Wystan Hugh)