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Plakias => Plakias => Topic started by: hewhoiscool on July 13, 2006, 10:42:24 AM

Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: hewhoiscool on July 13, 2006, 10:42:24 AM
Hi Everyone,

I'm off to plakias for the first time this year, and have had some friends just come back saying that the wind was unbearable (they actually changed resorts after 3 days!!!) - does anyone have any experience of it or were my friends just being lame?

also does anyone know any good sites to check the weather for plakias and suggestions for the best bar/disco?

Cheers
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Mike G on July 13, 2006, 01:12:26 PM
Quote from: hewhoiscool
also does anyone know any good sites to check the weather for plakias and suggestions for the best bar/disco?

Cheers

Hello hewhoiscool,

I always use Yahoo where there is a 10 day forecast giving temperatures and wind speed/direction. See
http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/busi...0030?dp=windsdp (http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/businesstraveler/tenday/GRXX0030?dp=windsdp) which is for Heraklion.

Bear in mind that the gorges funnel and accentuate the wind at Plakias and that it is sometimes windier there than on the north coast.

Mike
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Susan K on July 13, 2006, 01:22:33 PM
I like Weather Underground (http://www.weatherunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=heraklion)

The best bar/disco is Ostracos where many of us go to have a drink and a bop at the end of a long hard day    

Susan
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Ali & Dave on July 13, 2006, 02:09:36 PM
I'm afraid it is still windy.  Woke up this morning to no wind but it had kicked off again by 9am.  Some people find it hard to cope with other don't.  It's not as strong as last week.

I think Ostraco is one of the best bars as well, also like Smerna.  There's only nightclub Finikas which has had a revamp and reopen 2 weeks ago but I haven't been yet.  But the bars stay open until the last people leave, unless the staff drag you off to the nightclub with them!!

Have fun

Ali
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Ploppy on July 13, 2006, 02:18:41 PM
Quote from: Susan K
I like Weather Underground ([url]http://www.weatherunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=heraklion[/url])

The best bar/disco is Ostracos where many of us go to have a drink and a bop at the end of a long hard day    

Susan


Yep Weather Uderground is pretty good, they also have a Souda/Chania (http://www.wunderground.com/geo/GizmoTempPromo/global/stations/16746.html) forecast which may be a little closer.

Weather Underground also have my back garden. (http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=IMIDDLES2)  

We like Ostraco & Smerna also for our evenings debauchery!

Paul
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Katerina on July 13, 2006, 02:27:59 PM
Accuweather
http://wwwa.accuweather.com/world-forecast...on&metric=1 (http://wwwa.accuweather.com/world-forecast.asp?partner=accuweather&myadc=0&traveler=0&zipcode=rethymnon&metric=1)
have a 10 day forecast for Rethymnon which is even closer, but they don't give any indication of wind. And in my experience the weather can vary drastically even over such a short distance.
I've heard that it has been windier than usual this year, perhaps the result of long term climate change
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Ploppy on July 13, 2006, 02:35:33 PM
Quote from: Katerina
Accuweather
[url]http://wwwa.accuweather.com/world-forecast...on&metric=1[/url] ([url]http://wwwa.accuweather.com/world-forecast.asp?partner=accuweather&myadc=0&traveler=0&zipcode=rethymnon&metric=1[/url])
have a 10 day forecast for Rethymnon which is even closer, but they don't give any indication of wind. And in my experience the weather can vary drastically even over such a short distance.
I've heard that it has been windier than usual this year, perhaps the result of long term climate change


Thats right, the weather can be extremely localized, especially the wind when you factor in the terrain, i.e being coastal and the gorges around Plakias. Any wind forecast from the North coast is not going to be accurate at all when it comes to Plakias.

We don't mind the wind too much but sometimes it can be a little frustrating, especially for Marge who wont go in the sea unless its like a pond  
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Nero on July 13, 2006, 08:52:42 PM
I'm just back from two weeks during which we motored around various villages on the south coast. We had only three days when the wind dropped below gale force and generally we found it to be windier the further west you went, not only was the car physically being moved over the road at times but I was blown over twice. We found Matala to be the most sheltered, Plakias was pretty bad but not as bad as Agios Pavlos. I don't recall it being like this last year, although I believe this weather system is known as a Meltemi ?
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Rowena & Carl on July 13, 2006, 09:55:28 PM
Hi Yes it can be blowing a storm in Plakias but in the Rethymno dead calm! We went to Korakas Beach in Rodakino and it was less windy there & very queit but the drive there was extremley windy we did it on a scooter but would only reccomend in a car in that wind! Also no one has mentioned the beach bar the first one before palimgremnos. Alot of locals go there & we were still there at 5.30 one morning, it's also more sheltered than you think from the wind.

Rowena & Carl

Hi Yes it can be blowing a storm in Plakias but in the Rethymno dead calm! We went to Korakas Beach in Rodakino and it was less windy there & very queit but the drive there was extremley windy we did it on a scooter but would only reccomend in a car in that wind! Also no one has mentioned the beach bar the first one before palimgremnos. Alot of locals go there & we were still there at 5.30 one morning, it's also more sheltered than you think from the wind.

Rowena & Carl
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: hewhoiscool on July 16, 2006, 11:23:31 AM
Hi All,

Many thanks for your responses - really useful!!.......i'm actually going to plakias for the first 2 weeks in september, fingers crossed the weather would have moved into "no wind" mode but i do like a lot of windsurfing so things might not be too bad (does anyone know if there are local hiring places for windsurfers?).

hope to see some of you at the bars suggested

roll on september

Nick
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Rowena & Carl on July 16, 2006, 11:43:32 AM
Quote from: hewhoiscool
Hi All,

Many thanks for your responses - really useful!!.......i'm actually going to plakias for the first 2 weeks in september, fingers crossed the weather would have moved into "no wind" mode but i do like a lot of windsurfing so things might not be too bad (does anyone know if there are local hiring places for windsurfers?).

hope to see some of you at the bars suggested

roll on september

Nick

Hi Nick

Plakias isn't really a water sport place but the next beach along half hour walk hires out windsurfs at Happimag complex. I assume not just Happimag guests can hire them out maybe look at their web site. One thing I do know is you've got to be good we have watched locals windsurfing in Plakias bay from the Livicon where we stay and the speed they travel at is incredible!! Hope you enjoy your visit wind or not!
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: compage on July 17, 2006, 02:20:32 PM
Our visits to Plakias started in 1991 and we've be there most years since, sometimes more than once.

It is often windy in Plakias.
When it isn't windy it is very windy.

Some people say it's more likely to be windy in July and August than at other times but I can't comment because I've only been there in June and September.
When it is very windy the beach is unusable because everything blows away and the sand becomes airborne.
When it is too windy in Plakias it's often quite comfortable on the north coast which is less than an hour away.
When it is very windy the ferries and excursion boats do not run.
You can not hire pedalos, motor boats or sailing boats in Plakias because there would be too many tourists lost.

Here are some pictures (http://compage.com/plakias/2004/04sep/page_05.htm) that show how windy it can be in Plakias.

To sum up: If you go to Plakias expect it to be windy.
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Rowena & Carl on July 17, 2006, 03:24:25 PM
Quote from: compage
Our visits to Plakias started in 1991 and we've be there most years since, sometimes more than once.

It is often windy in Plakias.
When it isn't windy it is very windy.

Some people say it's more likely to be windy in July and August than at other times but I can't comment because I've only been there in June and September.
When it is very windy the beach is unusable because everything blows away and the sand becomes airborne.
When it is too windy in Plakias it's often quite comfortable on the north coast which is less than an hour away.
When it is very windy the ferries and excursion boats do not run.
You can not hire pedalos, motor boats or sailing boats in Plakias because there would be too many tourists lost.

Here are some pictures ([url]http://compage.com/plakias/2004/04sep/page_05.htm[/url]) that show how windy it can be in Plakias.

To sum up: If you go to Plakias expect it to be windy.

I like the pictures John they do really sum up the Plakias wind! We started visiting in 94 and have only missed 1 year. We now go twice a year with out fail, June & Oct. I have been in August too & the wind is the same as any other time.. as you say if you visit Plakias expect wind. A few years ago in Oct we brought some family we warned them & warned them of the wind & guess what no wind & August temperatures! So i'm sure they don't believe now.

Rowena & Carl
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Mike G on July 18, 2006, 01:28:55 PM
Quote from: compage
It is often windy in Plakias.
When it isn't windy it is very windy.
I haven't been to Plakias nearly as many times as John (Compage) or at the same times of year but in May (the only time I've been) it is certainly not always windy, although it sometimes is. I think we had about 4 windy days out of 14 this year and less in other years. If the wind is the Meltemi, made worse by the funnelling effect of the gorges, then in theory it ought to be better in late Sept and October. John R visits then I think so may be able to tell us.

Mind you when it blows it really does. I was climbing Timeos Stavros on a windy day this year and a gust blew me off my feet into a gorse-like bush. Not pleasant.

Mike
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: John R on July 18, 2006, 01:35:55 PM
Quote from: Mike G
If the wind is the Meltemi, made worse by the funnelling effect of the gorges, then in theory it ought to be better in late Sept and October. John R visits then I think so may be able to tell us.

It has occasionally been windy in late Sept/October - I think I can remember one year when it blew on many days but perhaps not as savage as it would seem at some times mid Summer. In the main it has not been too windy over the course of our visits at that time of year every year since 1998

We have always had a car and when it has been windy there has been virtually no wind not very distant from Plakias. Rodakina beach being a good example.

John R
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: compage on October 28, 2007, 09:57:54 AM
Sometimes it rains too...

(http://compage.com/plakias/PlakiasRainbow070922-2345.jpg)
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Graham_and_Karen on October 28, 2007, 10:27:21 AM
Quote from: John R
We have always had a car and when it has been windy there has been virtually no wind not very distant from Plakias. Rodakina beach being a good example.

John R

Same here. This was the first year we'd had a car for the whole time but ot proved invaluable - even when it was very windy in Plakias, you didn't have to travel far for it to improve.
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: compage on October 28, 2007, 10:34:02 AM
... and then there are the tornados ...

(http://compage.com/plakias/PlakiasTornado.jpg)

(picture by Dotty)
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: compage on October 28, 2007, 10:36:11 AM
... but then it's nearly always windy in Plakias.

(http://compage.com/plakias/PlakiasWindy0409111409.jpg)
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: compage on August 27, 2009, 11:46:12 AM
bump
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Barny on August 27, 2009, 12:16:14 PM
bump?
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Ploppy on August 27, 2009, 12:32:26 PM
Quote from: Barny
bump?

I think John is enquiring as to the amount of wind there has been recently.
Two weeks to go and i'm wondering the same
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Barny on August 27, 2009, 02:19:34 PM
I had a week in July and two weeks in August and it was quite bad all the time, even the locals were commenting on this. I stayed in Aphrodite pension and had to bring the table and chairs in all the second week as they were lifting off the floor!
But this is Plakias and I will still be back next year as will all the regulars?

                                              Barny.
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Graham_and_Karen on August 27, 2009, 05:16:40 PM
Quote from: Ploppy
Quote from: Barny
bump?

I think John is enquiring as to the amount of wind there has been recently.
Two weeks to go and i'm wondering the same  
Paul - you should know better than to be wondering whether it will be windy - it's like financial investments and just about anything else it would be nice to predict - you can't! Even if we knew it would be especially windy, I can't think of any changes we'd make to our packing. The one thing that can make a difference (but I know you don't like driving on holiday) is having a car - the wind very often is quite localised.
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: harribobs on August 28, 2009, 10:54:22 PM
Quote from: Graham_and_Karen
the wind very often is quite localised.


oh yes, we've all had that problem.......
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: harribobs on August 28, 2009, 10:55:38 PM


and btw has anyone got photos of that odd halo around the sun from last June??

mine didn't work
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Barny on August 30, 2009, 12:40:08 PM
[attachment=678:100_0803.JPG]

Talking of halo's    how do you like the one Pavlos has?

                 Barny.
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Barny on August 30, 2009, 04:58:49 PM
[attachment=679:100_0768.JPG]

This is the veiw from the pension Aphrodite. Considering that Porto Plakias is next door, it's not too bad a veiw? shame you can't see the wind!


                     Barny.
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: harribobs on September 01, 2009, 12:06:40 AM
john ( boxerlover) managed to get a great shot of the weird halo we saw for a couple of days

Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Soki on September 13, 2009, 02:17:36 PM
Quote from: harribobs
john ( boxerlover) managed to get a great shot of the weird halo we saw for a couple of days
View from the top Timeos Stavros last week.
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: harribobs on September 16, 2009, 07:25:31 AM
Quote from: Soki
View from the top Timeos Stavros last week.


nice shot!!
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Barny on September 16, 2009, 08:05:38 AM
Must get there next year!
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Gemma1 on October 09, 2009, 02:15:30 PM
Just back from a wonderful week in Plakias staying at the Dora Studios and apart from Tuesday (the day I came home) there was very little wind.  The weather was glorious with just one heavy shower at around 3am in the morning last Saturday.
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Cabbyman on October 13, 2009, 03:32:45 PM
The wind lasted until about Friday. Beautiful last few days to complete our week.
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: mandie cook on November 01, 2009, 12:57:29 PM
It rained a lot in Plakias last week.....

(http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/mandie_05/plakiasoct2009014.jpg)
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Noopsy on November 02, 2009, 09:17:39 PM
Oh dear!  And the sea didn't look too inviting either!
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Ploppy on November 02, 2009, 10:32:58 PM
Quote from: mandie cook
It rained a lot in Plakias last week.....

Blimey! Still rather be there than here though
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: George on November 04, 2009, 09:04:13 AM
Quote from: Ploppy
Quote from: mandie cook
It rained a lot in Plakias last week.....

Blimey! Still rather be there than here though
I'm with you Paul, I've seen some incredible storms while in Plakias, and in some respect they're a welcome relief from the continuously hot blistering sunshine.
I do feel for the locals though who have to clear up afterwards.
I think it's odd as well that in the aftermath of a storm people will still try and dodge the puddles even with flip flops or sandals on!

george...
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: JaneGary on November 04, 2009, 07:20:56 PM
Quote from: George
Quote from: Ploppy
Quote from: mandie cook
It rained a lot in Plakias last week.....

Blimey! Still rather be there than here though
I'm with you Paul, I've seen some incredible storms while in Plakias, and in some respect they're a welcome relief from the continuously hot blistering sunshine.
I do feel for the locals though who have to clear up afterwards.
I think it's odd as well that in the aftermath of a storm people will still try and dodge the puddles even with flip flops or sandals on!

george...
We were there for the storm last Sunday 25th-woken by thunder at 3am and the storm lasted until midnight. At one point during the afternoon saw a tornado out to the east. So much mud came down the river that the sea was brown to about half a mile out-easily covering the bay-it looked just like Cleethorpes!
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: mandie cook on November 04, 2009, 08:10:06 PM
It turned all the domestic water brown as well........
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Santa on November 05, 2009, 12:28:21 PM
Quote from: mandie cook
It turned all the domestic water brown as well........
Excuse me Mandy- Could you explain your comment- Are you saying that the water from the tap was brown?
Santa
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: mandie cook on November 05, 2009, 09:35:59 PM
Yes, the tap water was brown....
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: Santa on November 06, 2009, 08:07:11 AM
Quote from: mandie cook
Yes, the tap water was brown....
Where were you staying? The rain should not affect the domestic water supply system- I suspect that there is a problem with perhaps broken pipes- My water was prfectly clear-
Santa
Title: Weather - is it windy
Post by: mandie cook on November 06, 2009, 06:42:38 PM
I was staying in the Alianthos beach, but a friend who lives in the olives between Damnoni and Lefkogia also had brown tap water for two days after the storm.........!