The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word CLIMACTIC
C
L
I
M
A
C
T
I
C
More clues leading to the result CLIMACTIC
- briefly over ocean, leaving river and coming to a high point
- Critical conservative capital about to lead uncontrollable movement
- As an orgasm is to do with temperature, etc., cocaine having been taken
- Cold inside – to do with the weather reaching a culmination
- Ending of weather pattern with cold coming in
- Something to do with the weather, caught cold and it’s critical
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "critical" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case critical = climactic.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does CLIMACTIC mean?
CLIMACTIC adjective- Of, pertaining to, or constituting a climax; reaching a decisive moment or point of greatest tension.