Low temperatures and adverse weather conditions are forecast for Tuesday and the next three days with northerly winds reaching 7 Beaufort. Northern parts of the country will be overcast with light snowfall and temperatures as low as -10C.

Macedonia, Thrace

Cloudy with light snowfall in higher altitudes of west Macedonia

Wind velocity: 5-7 Beaufort

Temperatures: -10 to -4C

Ionian Islands, Epirus, Western Central Greece, West Peloponnese

Some clouds with scattered rains and thunderstorms in southern sea regions. Light snowfall in higher altitudes with the possibility of improvement later on in the day.

Wind velocity: 5-7 Beaufort, 8 Beaufort in the Ionian Sea

Temperatures: -7C to 10C and 4-5C lower in the Epirus region

Thessaly, Eastern Central Greece, Evia, East Peloponnese

Cloudy with sleet to the south and sea regions and snowfall in the other areas. Extreme weather conditions may be noted in the eastern area of Central Greece, the Sporadic Islands and the isle of Evia.

Wind velocity: 5-7 Beaufort and a chance of 8 Beaufort to the east

Temperatures: -9 to 5C

Cycladic Islands, Crete

Cloudy with sleet in coastal regions and snowfall in the rest. Extreme weather conditions may be noted at some points in the day

Wind velocity: 6-8 Beaufort

Temperatures: 1-7C

East Aegean, Dodecannese

Windy with local showers or sleet to the south and sporadic snowfall to the north.

Wind velocity: 5-7 Beaufort and 8 Beaufort

Temperatures: 1C to 8C

Attica

Cloudy with local snowfall to the north and east with extreme weather conditions in some part. There is the possibility of snow in the Athens Center and sleet in southern coastal regions

Wind velocity: 5-7 Beaufort

Temperatures: -3C to 4C

Traffic problems around Attica

* Parnitha Avenue has been interrupted from the 21st kilometer (ski lift) to the casino * Penteli-Nea Makri Regional roadway from the 414 military hospital of Penteli to the St. Peter’s crossing *  Hassia-Dervenohori at the height of Kleiston Monastery * old National Athens-Thebes highway. Tyre chains are required on the road to Thebes and on the network from Mandra-Idyllias to Vilia as well as from Varybombi-Katsimidiou at the height of the “Thea” taverna and on Dionyssos Avenue to Marathon from number 20 onwards

Winter safety advice

It is important that drivers adapt their driving when dealing with wintry weather conditions. Vehicles should be prepared and fully service with lights clean, batteries fully-charged, windscreen and wiper blades clean, tyre condition, dtread depth and pressure checked as well brakes in working order.

Emergency kits dealing with hazardous wintry weather should have a tow rope, shovel, Wellington boots, hazard warning triangles, de-icing equipment, a first aid kit, a working torch, a car blanket, emergency rations and a fully-charged cell phone.

Drivers should check the conditions of the routes they will be travelling to and from on the local bulletins as conditions can change rapidly. Only make necessary journeys in the case of extreme weather. Alternative routes also need to be planned.

If you find yourself driving on snow or ice:

* Reduce your speed, especially before bends and corners

* Avoid harsh braking and acceleration

* To brake on ice without locking your wheels, get into a low gear earlier than normal

* Keep your vehicle well-ventilated

* In snow, stop frequently to clean the windows

* Use dipped headlights in the case of low visibility

If you get stuck in snow

* Reviving your engine to try to power out of the rut will just make it worse. Instead, move your vehicle snowly backwards and forwards using the highest gear possible

* Get a friendly passer by for a push or use a shovel to get out

In a snow drift:

* Don’t leave your vehicle

* Call an emergency service

* Don’t run the engine to keep warm

In the case of flooded roads

* Avoid the deepest water that is usually near the kerb

* Don’t cross the water if it seems to deep and look for an alternative route if you’re not sure of the water’s depth. If you decide to risk it, drive slowly but keep the engine speed high by slipping the clutch to stop you from stalling

* Remember to test your brakes when you are through the flood