- A new bout of severe weather is forecast across Greece on Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Western Crete, particularly Chania and Rethymno, is expected to be affected from Tuesday evening through Wednesday night.
- Heavy rain and thunderstorms may be accompanied by localized hail.
- Northeasterly winds will reach 8–9 Beaufort in the northern and central Aegean.
Crete faces another spell of unsettled, potentially severe weather, with the National Meteorological Service warning of heavy rain and thunderstorms on Tuesday, October 13, and Wednesday, October 14.
The latest weather warning covers large parts of Greece, with particular concern for areas where storms are expected to be both intense and prolonged. The official HNMS forecasting system lists Tuesday, October 13, and Wednesday, October 14, as forecast days.
Crete enters the picture Tuesday evening
For Crete, the strongest concern is focused on the western part of the island, particularly Chania and Rethymno.
According to the warning, storms are expected to reach Crete Tuesday evening, with significant weather continuing through Wednesday.
Western Crete is expected to remain affected until late at night on Wednesday.
The storms may be accompanied by localized hail, while rainfall could be particularly heavy in areas affected by persistent thunderstorms.
The wider weather picture
The new system will affect several parts of Greece.
On Tuesday, heavy weather is expected across the Ionian islands, western mainland Greece and western Peloponnese from the morning, while Halkidiki will see severe conditions from around midday.
The Sporades, eastern Thessaly, and Evia are expected to be affected from the afternoon, with particularly intense, prolonged weather.
Attica and parts of the eastern mainland may also experience temporarily intense weather from late Tuesday afternoon into the night, while the Dodecanese will be affected from late Tuesday.
Strong winds add another concern
The weather system will also bring very strong winds.
Northeasterly winds of 8 to 9 Beaufort are expected initially over the northern Aegean and then across the central Aegean, beginning Tuesday evening and continuing until late Wednesday afternoon.
For Crete, heavy rain, thunderstorms, and potentially difficult sea conditions mean people traveling by sea or working on or near the water should pay close attention to updated forecasts and local warnings.
After what Crete has already experienced
The timing is significant for an island that has only recently been dealing with the consequences of extreme weather.
This new system is not expected to produce the same impacts everywhere, but the possibility of intense, prolonged rainfall makes local conditions worth watching, particularly in areas that may still be vulnerable after recent damage.
The safest approach is the least exciting: keep an eye on official warnings, avoid unnecessary travel during the worst of the storms, and don’t underestimate rapidly rising water.