Читать книгу The High Mountains of Crete. The White Mountains, Psiloritis and Lassithi Mountains онлайн

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Rainfall

December, January and February are rated the wettest months, but three-day periods of rain, and snow blizzards above 1000m, may occur as late as mid-June. At summer’s end the hot weather should break in stages as from late September, but this can vary. After bursts of rain and thunder storms, fine weather should return, making October a good month for walking. Sea temperatures remain warm until after the second period of autumn rain. Daylight hours are shorter, but sufficient for a good day out. Snow may cover the mountains from the end of November; the thaw should be well advanced by mid-April.

Wind

Crete lies in the path of various winds that can change the weather in half a day. A long-lasting warm south wind in spring will thaw the snow too quickly, resulting in quite spectacular natural erosion in the gorges. Similarly, localised flash flooding from thunderstorms sometimes occurs and this too, causes massive erosion. The mountains can attract fierce gales, even in summer. Strong billowing gusts hit below the knee and toss you over. Do as the locals do – wait out the worst of the storm since, with any luck, it should ease in half a day. Alternatively, in summer, ordinary northwesterlies cool the mountains, making trekking routes and summit ascents more attractive than low-level walks.