Climate
The climate throughout the area is typically temperate Mediterranean, with mild winters and warm summers. During the summer nights there is increased humidity, especially at the foot of Mt. Juktas. On the southern shores of the Asterousia Mountains the low temperatures last a very short time and, as a result, winter is almost unknown. Rainfall is average, with exceptions, and it usually takes place between November and March.
The small amount of rain does not allow for an extensive water supply network. The streams that do exist are small and are torrent-like. This is why if you are travelling here for canyoning you must be especially careful if it rains, as torrents may suddenly appear where you least expect them…
Snow is very limited, even in the mountains. As for winds, the Asterousia Mountain Range is affected by the Libyan Sea and, particularly in the winter period, when there are powerful south-southwestern winds prevailing. Northern and southern winds blow often and they are rather strong. Northern winds, in particular, which blow in the summer (meltemia), pick up speed as they descend from the mountain ranges they encounter further north.
Overview…
The area is perfect for outdoor activities throughout the year, due to the mild climate and low altitudes. Spring and autumn are ideal periods for walking-hiking and cycling, due to the reasonable temperature range and the rebirth of nature. Snowfall on Municipality mountains is rare, while you should expect very high temperatures during the hot summer days in the treeless mountain paths of Mt. Juktas and the Asterousia Mountain Range..
Activities
- HIKING & MOUNTAIN BIKIN: Months recommended: April, May, June, mid-September to mid-November. Avoid very hot days. Hiking the Municipality trails is enjoyable even in winter (unless stated otherwise in the separate description of each trail), as the winter in Crete is mild.
- CANYONING: Months recommended: Throughout the year. Avoid very hot days. We recommend you avoid waterless months (from mid-June to mid-October) because between descents you will come to stagnant water that you definitely do not want to wade through.
- CLIMBING: Months recommended: March to October. Avoid climbing from mid-December to mid-February (predatory bird mating season).
- SEA CANOEING: Months recommended: March to November. The Municipality’s sea activities can be enjoyed even during winter months, as the winter in Crete is mild.
- AGROTOURISM:
- Olive harvest: November – January (throughout the Municipality, mainly in the south, from the plain of Mesara to the northern slopes of the Asterousia Mountains).
- Grape harvest: Mid-August – September (in the area of the municipal communities of Archanes and N. Kazantzakis, and less so in the plain of Mesara).
- Raki (tsikoudia) distillation: From mid-October until the end of November (in the area of the municipal communities of Archanes and N. Kazantzakis, and less so in the plain of Mesara).
- Sowing vegetables and local plants during the seed festival, at the seed bank in Pyrgos: Early spring
- Crop sowing: October, November / Crop Harvesting: Late May (Mesara plain and Asterousia Mountain Range areas).