Dense fog has settled over Greece’s Cyclades islands for several days, an unusual sight in the Aegean Sea that has taken many travelers by surprise.
Ferry passengers have shared videos showing islands and ships partly hidden behind a thick haze that dropped all the way down to the sea surface.
Speaking on ERTNews, Greece’s public broadcaster, meteorologist Nikoleta Ziakopoulou said the phenomenon is striking, since the Aegean is normally known for a clear mix of white and blue skies. This week, she said, that clarity gave way to a blurred, milky sky.
She called the scene impressive but risky for maritime traffic, since visibility has dropped sharply and conditions vary by area. Footage reviewed during the broadcast showed islands such as Paros gradually emerging from the haze as ferries approached the shore.
How dense fog formed over Greece’s Cyclades islands
Ziakopoulou said the timing makes the fog especially unusual, since August is typically the month of strong seasonal northerly winds that normally keep Aegean skies clear and blue. She attributed the dense fog over Greece’s Cyclades to a combination of cooler sea temperatures and calm air.
Sea temperatures around the islands have recently dropped to about 23 to 24 degrees Celsius (73 to 75°F), cooler than usual for this time of year, she said. When warmer, moist air passes over the cooler water, it condenses almost instantly and forms the fog.
She pointed to the near absence of wind as the main cause, since the Aegean saw barely one to two Beaufort (1 to 7 mph), not enough to disperse the fog. Humidity reached close to 90 percent, she added, contributing to the discomfort along with elevated temperatures.
North winds expected to clear fog before heat wave hits
Lioliou pointed out that travelers on incoming ferries were likely unable to spot the islands until they were close by. Ziakopoulou said vacationers should expect rising heat as conditions change.
Winds from the north are set to strengthen the next day, reaching 4 to 5 Beaufort (13 to 24 mph) across the Aegean and clearing the fog. She cautioned, however, that a heat wave would follow. She described it as tiring and exhausting for the final days of August.
High humidity is expected to persist from the weekend through the middle of next week, with temperatures in some areas approaching 40 degrees Celsius (104°F). Ziakopoulou said she would continue tracking the pattern in the days ahead.
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