Chania and Rethymno close schools Thursday as severe storms approach

Schools in the regional units of Chania and Rethymno will remain closed on Thursday, October 1, 2026, following separate decisions by the deputy regional governors of each area due to worsening weather conditions.

The closures were ordered ahead of severe weather expected to affect Crete, particularly the Chania and Rethymno areas, according to the announcements.

An emergency bulletin on dangerous weather phenomena forecasts heavy rain and storms across Crete, concentrated mainly in the Chania and Rethymno regional units, from Wednesday evening through Thursday. The forecast follows earlier warnings that Greece expects new storms and winds up to 8 Beaufort starting Wednesday, with Crete bearing the heaviest rainfall.

Wider weather alerts

The school closures come as authorities across the island prepare for the incoming system. Forecasters have said Crete is bracing for a new storm system bringing heavy rain, and the National Meteorological Service has separately issued an orange warning for Crete as the storms move across Greece.

No further details on the duration of the closures or additional measures were provided in the announcements.