Greece is bracing for a new wave of severe weather, including heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, similar to the recent floods that claimed two lives.
According to the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY), three consecutive waves of bad weather will hit the country starting late Sunday, following a brief break in fair conditions.
The first wave will appear in the eastern Aegean and move toward the Ionian Sea. The storms are expected to be intense in Greater Athens, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, and Crete, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, and localized storms across several regions.
Meteorologist Theodoros Kolydas warned of continuous atmospheric disturbances, with weather systems following one another without significant breaks. He said rainfall will be frequent and long-lasting, while southeasterly winds will keep temperatures higher than normal for the season.
On Monday, the weather may be particularly strong in the west, north, and east Aegean, with an increased chance of locally heavy rainfall. “We will experience a week where one system follows another in three consecutive waves. The rains will be heavy, and southerly winds will keep temperatures above normal. Monday may see the strongest phenomena in the west, north, and east Aegean,” Kolydas said on television.
Gale force winds in the Ionian Sea
Meteorologist Sakis Arnaoutoglou warned that last week’s sunny weather will give way to a new storm system, initially forming in the eastern Aegean and moving toward the Ionian Sea.
In the Ionian region, winds are expected to strengthen significantly, reaching 7 Beaufort in some areas, with Corfu and nearby islands at the center. By Monday, gale-force winds could affect the entire country, potentially disrupting coastal ferry operations.
Strong storms are also predicted on Monday for Kavala, Xanthi, Drama, and Thassos, while the Athens area may see heavy rain and storms until noon, accompanied by strong winds and a noticeable drop in temperature. The south of Crete and the southwest of the country are also expected to experience particularly intense phenomena, with colder temperatures compared to previous days.
The weather on Monday
Most of Greece will see cloudy skies and increasing rain, with sporadic storms initially in the west and north, gradually spreading to other areas.
Storms are expected to be strong in parts of the west, north, and eastern Aegean, tapering off in the northwest by evening. Snowfall is likely in mountainous regions of western and northern Greece.
Winds will vary across the country: in the west, south-southeasterly 5–7 Beaufort, turning west-southwesterly 4–6 Beaufort; in the east, south-southeasterly 5–7 Beaufort; and in the Aegean, locally 8 Beaufort, gradually turning southwesterly with slight weakening in central and northern areas by afternoon.
Temperatures will drop slightly, except in the eastern Aegean. The Ionian Sea and mainland will reach 15–17 °C (59–62 °F), the northwest 12–13 °C (54–55 °F), and the rest of the country 18–19 °C (64–66 °F).
The weather on Tuesday through Thursday
Greece will experience temporarily increasing clouds with local rain and sporadic storms, mainly in the eastern and southern regions and, at times, in the Ionian Sea. Conditions in the west are expected to improve by the afternoon.
Light snowfall is likely in mountainous areas of the mainland. Winds will vary: in the east and south, south-southwesterly 4–6 Beaufort, locally reaching 7; in the north and northwest, 4–5 Beaufort, increasing to 6 in the Ionian Sea. Temperatures will drop slightly in the east and north.
Meteorologists predict similar conditions for Wednesday and Thursday, with cloudy skies, rain, and sporadic storms throughout the country, especially in the eastern Aegean.
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