Severe drought predicted 2013

[Voloudakis]

Looks like a very hot and dry spring and summer this year.
This year a nightmare of drought in Crete expected - 28 March, 2013

At a time when in the rest of Greece there are significant rains, in Crete drought is continuing that has really started from early February.

It is already time to sound the alarm and indicate the need for immediate action regarding water scarcity for the upcoming summer.

February and March are the most critical months in Crete during which rainfall "irrigates" the earth and "fills" the underground cisterns, while from May until the autumn the rains stop. Yet this winter, only until January there was significant rain and snow in the mountains, followed by cessation of rainfall and extra strong southerly winds stopped the early snow. Its effects have become evident in the countryside, where it has already dried the blossoming vegetation, at a time while in some areas even the trees began to flourish.

"Already there is significant reduction in the quantities of water sources " told the technical director of OADYK (Organization for Development of Western Crete), Mr. Markos Patrelakis , noting that "this period the amounts of snow in the mountains is estimated at 1/10 of the quantity of last year. This means that by the summer tapping from wells will be in full operation, while it might take some new ones". Indeed, soon, Chania expects to convene the committee to address water shortage by reviewing directly to the new drilling permit procedures.

Water scarcity will be much more pronounced in the centre and south of Crete and, according to data from the Directorate of Water Management of Crete, the total rainfall at stations from September 2012 to January 2013 shows:

-In north Crete an increase from 12% to 35%, with a maximum recorded in the area of Chania and Sitia, except for the area east of Rethymnon, showing a reduction of 15%.
-In the zone of central Crete a decrease from 10% to 20%.
-In southern Crete a reduction from 15% to 30% and
-the maximum reduction is recorded in Messara.

Newer data will be issued in May, but the drought of February and March shows that they will be much worse. [...] Provided the drought will continue in April, that starts in a few days, then this summer's nightmare of water shortages will become a dramatic reality, primarily for agriculture, but not only.

From: [www.flashnews.gr]
Full thread here http://www.sfakia-crete.com/forum2/read.php?3,7242

Article kindly from  http://www.sfakia-crete.com/

[Yvonne]

Not forgetting the real risk of fires

[Mike G]

Oh dear, bad news. It's bound to rain and spoil our Plakias holidays now!!

[Voloudakis]

Oh dear, bad news. It's bound to rain and spoil our Plakias holidays now!!

Never a truer word spoken.
The weather in Crete of late has been unseasonably overcast, with some exciting storms, rain and strong winds with heavy seas, there has been sunshine too of course.
Last week the Paleochora to Chora Sfakion ferry was docked for two days because of heavy seas.
Yesterday was very overcast in Plakias but there is Sun around today but with rough seas and wind.
Just like Britain Crete is experiencing a very unsettled spell, all set to change this weekend with the return of hotter and more settled weather.
Have not known a may in Crete like this one for over thirty years.
Come on June, get your act together and give us a good summer, that sea needs warming up.

[Tony and Sandra Smith]

we had some nice weather at the start of the month when we were in Plakias. When we moved to Elounda after the orthodox Easter the weather deteriorated and there was a spectacular thunder and lightening display one evening.

Tony

[Voloudakis]

Easter was very good weather. I enjoyed looking at the photographs of the celebrations in Sellia on their Facebook page. Sellia open group (their spelling with two L's). Looks like a lovely sunny Bank holiday here on the West coast of Wales. It is only our Summers that are wet :-)

[ian s]

Yes the middle of May was very odd.  I wouldn't say it was bad just very unsettled - no 2 days the same.  Got caught in the storm walking between Damnoni and Plakias - had to hang my euros up to dry!!

[Richard]

Well, we are in Plakias at present - arrived Tuesday - and I can't remember such a mixed bag, weather-wise. Generally good but noticeably cooler than previous years, and a fair amount of cloud.

It should improve after Tuesday evening, when we head home.... 

[Steve Jones]

Yet the rainfall data at a weather station not to far from Plakias has been 14mm for the month. The higher temperatures have been hotter than last year (nearly 34 degrees v 31.5 degrees). The mean termperature for May 2013 has been 2 degrees hotter than 2012.

What's going on?

[Voloudakis]

Very localised weather perhaps. There was a thunderstorm recently where rainfall was 152mm. March and April had days that were around 30deg but May has had some very cloudy days with some rain about, a lot of it was patchy and light and only lasted a few minutes so I am told. Watching the Web cameras in Chora Sfakion and Paleochora there have been many days this Month ( May) that have been overcast with rough seas. People were wearing overcoats in Paleochora two weeks ago after wearing light clothing in April. Of course I am not in Plakias at the moment but am getting regular reports from residents and a few photos and video. The temperature has been in the 20's even on cloudy days and the Sun shines the rest of the time. We are just used to May being more settled. Not long before we enjoy first trip of the year.