The severe weather front Barbara that has hit Greece since Sunday will continue until Wednesday with snowfall according to the new forecast data of the National Observatory of Athens/Meteo.gr.
Heavy snowfall and plummeting temperatures shut schools and shops in the Greek capital on Monday, with many public services and businesses switching to remote working.
Traffic was halted on some central roads and on a national road connecting Athens to central Greece, as storm Barbara swept across the country, blanketing the capital.
Some metro stations close to the city’s international airport were also shut and train routes to the northern city of Thessaloniki were suspended.
Authorities urged the public to avoid non-essential travel.
Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator said it was on alert for power cuts due to the weather, and had placed over 150 people on call on Evia island, hard hit by snow, and in Attica.
In Attica, traffic police has said drivers moving in the entire road network of the Attica prefecture must carry snow chains or other non-slip equipment.
Ships in Greece remain docked due to the weather
Ferries are still not carrying out the sea routes from the ports of Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio to the islands of Cyclades, the Dodecanese and the islands of eastern Aegean due to strong winds reaching up to 9 on the Beaufort scale on Monday.
However, three ferries departed on Monday morning for Crete while the ferry lines for the islands of the Argosaronic Gulf are conducted normally.
The sea route linking Aghia Marina with Nea Styra is closed.
Until Monday’s snow, winter in Greece has been unusually mild so far this year.
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