Record-Breaking Temperature on Crete Sets New European High

On Saturday, the island of Crete, Greece, basked in an unusual November heatwave, setting a new pan-European temperature record. Weather data from the National Observatory of Athens revealed that the town of Sisi Lasithiou witnessed a high of 35.1 degrees Celsius. This temperature marks the hottest November day ever recorded in the region.

However, kalf of the country has recently faced a cold front, causing a deluge of weather phenomena. The effects were evident, with a flurry of weather events from snow in Kaimaktsalan and the Pindos mountains to storms in western Thessaly, Achaia, and Epirus. Tornadoes also wreaked chaos in Xanthi and Halkidiki, while hailstorms pelted Thrace and Thessaly, and a wildfire erupted in Karystos.

This severe weather contrasted sharply with the balmy conditions experienced in Crete, where the heat soared to unprecedented levels. Meanwhile, fifty-one weather stations across the country registered temperatures surpassing 30 degrees, Greek media report.

As the nation grappled with this climatic dichotomy, forecasts for the next few days show that weather conditions will improve across the country. Despite occasional dense clouds and local rains expected in the western regions, most parts of Greece will enjoy forth clear skies and plenty of sunshine. The temperatures were projected to range from 3 to 28 degrees Celsius, with Crete potentially witnessing local highs of 27-28 degrees Celsius.

Extensive Damage by Severe Weather Across Greece

Strong storms wreak havoc in Greece #Greece #storm #tormenta pic.twitter.com/LuR2pbA8V6

— Shadab Javed (@JShadab1) November 4, 2023

Severe weather conditions caused intense damage across multiple regions in Greece on Saturday. Xanthi, located in the northeastern part of the country, was hit by a devastating tornado that left a trail of overturned vehicles and damaged roofs in its wake. In Alexandroupolis, a primary school bore the brunt of the harsh weather, prompting the concerned Parents’ Association to voice their worries to the local authorities. Further south, in the Aigialeia municipality, the precautionary evacuation of Viliviniotika village was initiated to ensure the safety of the residents against potential landslides caused by the turbulent weather.

In the western part of the country, the island Corfu grappled with power outages and a fire incident in Halikounas. Other minor disruption included a fallen tree in the Skripero area. Similarly, the Fthiotida region witnessed boats being swept ashore and significant damage to beach shop facilities due to the relentless gales and storms. The Prefecture of Ioannina in the northwest faced a series of landslides that disrupted the mountainous road network, impacting travel in areas like Tzoumerka, Konitsa, and Pogoni. As for Patras, uprooted trees in the Aktaios area required the swift intervention of the Fire Department and Police.