The climate of Crete is mildly Mediterranean. The summers are dry and hot and last from May to October while winters which last from November to April are mild, damp and rainy on the plains with snow on the mountains.

The hot summer and the short periods of rainfall which last from October to about April are responsible for the mild Mediterranean climate of Crete. The temperature fluctuates between 48 F in the winter and 88 F in the summer. A major role in the weather phenomena is played by the strong north and south winds. Despite the fact that the high mountains peaks are covered with snow throughout the whole of the winter, the temperature in the plains rarely falls bellow 41 F (5C). The presence of the mountains also leads to the difference between the rainfall amount of the eastern and western shores.

Generally, the east of Crete has a drier; warmer climate than the west. The summers at Crete can be quite hot. The hottest month at Crete is July with a high of 88 F (31 C) and a low of 73 F (23 C) while the coolest is January with a high of 63 F (17 C) and a low of 48 F (9 C). Spring and fall are superb with ideal temperatures for holiday makers. The high for April at Crete is 68 F ( 20 C ) and low 57 F ( 14 C ) while the highs and lows for October are 81 F ( 27 C ) and 64 F ( 18 C ) respectively.

At Crete, the summer rainfall is almost non-existent while moderate rainfall can be expected in winter. The total annual rainfall for the island is 15 inches (380 mm) of which 13 inches fall from October to April and only 2 inches from May to October. The rainiest month is December with 2.5 inches (62 mm) of rainfall while the driest month is July with only 0.2 inches (5 mm) of rainfall.

In short, the climate of Crete is typically Mediterranean with hot dry summers and mild winters having moderate rainfall. The best time to visit is spring and fall when the average temperatures hover around 68 F (20 C) and the days are pleasant and sunny.