Crete lies in the heart of the Eastern Mediterranean. Its climate is typically Mediterranean, though not everywhere. Large altitude differences, the steep gradients of the Cretan mountains and the fragmented relief create a mosaic of local microclimates. The island's orientation, its oblong shape, its high mountains and the fact that it is surrounded by the sea, exposed to strong winds, blowing all year round from every direction, all have a decisive impact on local microclimates.

The mixture of microclimates prevailing in the island's various areas, is a series of transitional states from the temperate climate of Europe to that of subtropical Africa. Flunctuations in climate are continual and unpredictable. Particularly cold winters alternate with mild ones, periods of heavy rainfall with protracted drought, years of heat-waves with relatively cool ones.

The prevailing winds are north to north-westerly all year round. The rains fall from October to May, though they rarely arrive precisely on time. More rain falls on the western end of the island and the northern mountain-slopes than on east and south Crete and southern slopes.

Vegetation in any area is mainly dependent on climate, and more specifically on temperature and rainfall range and distribution. Conversely, an area's vegetation is an indicator of the climate prevailing there.

The biggest temperature differences are observed when ascending the mountainsides, heading away from the sea. Every 100 metres of altitude we climb the temperature drops by 0.6 to 1°C.

The Mediterranean climate has never been stable, nor is it known whether it has now stabilized for good.

Source: Natural History Museum of Crete