Heavy storms are severely hampering sea transport off the coast of Greece.

All ferries to and from the island of Crete have been cancelled. There are floods in various harbour towns in the west of the island.

The storm and heavy winds in the Mediterranean Sea mark a turnaround from the summer weather enjoyed there during the Christmas season.

In the town on Chania on the northwest coast of Crete, the temperature soared to 30 degrees Celsius on New Year's Day.

Photo of Crete storm by Eric the Fish (Flickr)