Crete receives in one day the rainfall Athens sees in a year, ERT meteorologist says

The volume of rain that fell on Crete in a single day matched the amount Athens typically receives over an entire year, according to ERTnews meteorologist Nikoleta Ziakopoulou, who analyzed extreme rainfall data mapped by the National Observatory of Athens’ Meteo service.

“Mount Psiloritis came down,” Ziakopoulou said, describing the scale of the rainfall in simple terms. She reported that 200 tons of water per stremma fell in Chania and 250 tons per stremma in Lasithi.

According to the meteorologist, some areas are expected to avoid such extreme conditions at least through midday to early afternoon on Friday. However, she said a further deterioration in weather is almost certain from Friday evening, which would combine with strong winds reaching up to 10 Beaufort.

Storms and alerts continue across the island

The rainfall analysis follows a stretch of severe weather that has already triggered emergency responses in several parts of Crete. In Rethymno, the 112 alert system sounded in Mylopotamos as storms hit the area, and authorities there remain on alert for the next wave of bad weather.

Forecasters had already flagged the risk before the rain arrived. The national weather service EMY had issued an orange warning for Crete ahead of the storms now being measured in record rainfall figures.

With winds forecast to intensify again from Friday evening, maritime authorities have also moved to prepare. The Heraklion Port Authority previously raised its alert level over gale-force winds reaching 8 Beaufort, a figure now expected to be exceeded as the new system approaches.