Three-day heat wave is expected from today (11/06), culminating on Thursday (13/04) when the temperature will reach – in some places – even 42 degrees Celsius.
According to the National Meteorological Service (EMY), the highest temperatures will occur in the mainland Greece, mainly in the central and southern regions, in areas not affected by the sea breeze.
As stated in the Emergency Weather Bulletin issued yesterday by EMY:
1. Today (11-6-2024) high temperatures will prevail mainly in the central and southern continents. The maximum temperature will reach its maximum value on:
a. in the northern continent 36 to 37 degrees Celsius and in central Macedonia 37 to 38 degrees Celsius.
b. in western Sterea and western Peloponnese 36 to 39 degrees Celsius.c. in eastern Sterea, Thessaly and eastern Peloponnese 39 to 40 and locally 41 degrees Celsius.
d. in the island country 34 to 36 degrees Celsius, in the Ionian Islands and the Dodecanese 37 to 38 degrees Celsius and in the interior of Crete 39 degrees Celsius.
2. On Wednesday (12-6-2024) and Thursday (13-6-2024) the temperatures will reach their maximum:
α. In the northern mainland the maximum temperature will reach 38 to 39 degrees Celsius and in central Macedonia locally 40 degrees Celsius, while the minimum values will be around 25 to 27 degrees Celsius.
β. In western Sterea and western Peloponnese the maximum temperature will reach 38 to 40 degrees Celsius and in Thessaly 41 to 42 degrees Celsius with minimum values of 26 to 28 degrees Celsius.
c. In eastern Sterea and eastern Peloponnese 41 to 42 degrees Celsius and possibly 43 degrees Celsius in some places, while the minimum values will be around 27 to 29 degrees Celsius.
d. In the island country the maximum temperature will reach 35 to 37 degrees Celsius, in the Ionian Islands, the islands of the eastern Aegean and the Dodecanese 38 to 39 degrees, while locally in the interior of Crete it is likely to reach 40 to 42 degrees Celsius. The minimum values will be around 27 to 29 degrees Celsius.
ε. In Attica, maximum temperatures will reach 40 to 41 degrees Celsius in the mainland and possibly 42 degrees Celsius on Thursday, while in the coastal areas it will be 3 to 5 degrees lower.
3. On Friday (14-6-2024) the temperature will drop in the west, central and northern regions, but in the rest of the regions it will remain at very high levels, while from the afternoon hours a change of weather is expected in northern Greece with thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds.
α. In the northern mainland the maximum temperature will reach 34 to 36 degrees Celsius and in central Macedonia 37 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature will be around 24 to 26 degrees Celsius.
β. In the rest of the mainland the maximum temperature will reach 36 to 38 degrees Celsius, in the interior of Sterea, Thessaly and Peloponnese 39 degrees Celsius, while the minimum values will be around 25 to 27 degrees Celsius.
c. In the island country the maximum temperature will reach 34 to 36 degrees Celsius and in the islands of the eastern Aegean, the Dodecanese and the interior of Crete 37 to 39 and possibly 40 degrees Celsius, while the minimum values will be around 27 to 28 degrees Celsius.
It is noted that at the weekend throughout the country, the temperature will drop by 6 to 8 degrees and will return to normal for the season. At the same time, strong northerly winds will prevail.
Meeting at the Ministry of Health on protection measures
Yesterday afternoon, an emergency teleconference was held at the Ministry of Health on measures to protect citizens in view of the upcoming heatwave, which was attended by Health Minister Adonis Georgiades, Deputy Health Minister Irini Agapidaki and Deputy Health Minister Marios Themistocleous.
Implementation of teleworking is provided, according to a circular of the Ministry of Interior, for the days of the heat wave, from today until Thursday, and for civil servants who belong to vulnerable groups. As for civil servants who do not fall into vulnerable groups, they will also be able to offer their services by teleworking, and where this is not possible, flexible hours of arrival and departure will be applied.
At the same time, due to the expected onset of the heat wave, decisions have been taken in some areas to close schools. It is recalled that the Ministry of Education issued a circular recommending protective measures for students and how to conduct examinations.
Telecommuting and flexible working hours in the public sector – How the services will work
For civil servants who belong to vulnerable groups, the implementation of telecommuting is envisaged. If this is not feasible due to the nature of their duties, then they can opt out of the service by making use of special leave. Their inclusion in the vulnerable groups shall be established on the basis of the relevant data already held on the staff member or in cooperation with the Office Medical Officer or the occupational doctor, or on production by the staff member of a medical certificate from a medical doctor stating that he has a medical condition.
As regards civil servants who do not belong to vulnerable groups, they will also be able to offer their services by teleworking, and where this is not feasible, flexible working hours will be applied. In particular, staff members whose duties require them to work outdoors will be required to use the personal protective equipment provided, and it is recommended that they avoid working during peak heatwave hours (12.00-17.00).
To avoid inconvenience to citizens, but also to protect their health, it is specified that any appointments with public services scheduled during the peak hours of the heatwave should be rescheduled at the discretion of the services.
In any case, all public services and public bodies must provide uninterrupted services to citizens and ensure their proper functioning.
FORECAST FOR TOMORROW WEDNESDAY 12-06-2024
Generally clear weather.
Meteorological conditions favour the transport of African dust.
Winds will be westerly 3 to 5 Beaufort and in the southern seas up to 6 Beaufort, and only in the northeast will be southerly 3 to 4 Beaufort.
Temperatures will rise, especially in the south, and will be very high. Specifically, in the northern mainland it will reach 38 to 39 degrees Celsius and in central Macedonia 40 degrees Celsius. In western Central Greece and western Peloponnese 38 to 40 degrees Celsius, while in Thessaly, eastern Central Greece and eastern Peloponnese 41 to 42 degrees Celsius. In the island country the temperature will reach 35 to 37 degrees Celsius, in the eastern Aegean islands, the Ionian islands and the Dodecanese 38 to 39 degrees Celsius, while locally in the interior of Crete probably 40 to 42 degrees Celsius. In Attica the maximum temperatures will reach 40 to 41 degrees Celsius in the interior, while in the coastal areas it will be 3 to 5 degrees lower. Note that the minimum temperature will also be very high and will be around 26 to 29 degrees Celsius.
FORECAST FOR THURSDAY 13-06-2024
Generally clear weather with local clouds, partly cloudy, initially in the Ionian Sea and in the afternoon in the mainland and it is possible in the northern mountains that there will be local rainfall.
Meteorological conditions favour the transport of African dust.
Winds will be variable 3 to 4 and in the southeastern Aegean and from the afternoon in the west north 4 to 5 Beaufort.
Temperatures will rise, mainly in the south and will be very high. Specifically, in the northern mainland it will reach 38 to 39 degrees Celsius and in central Macedonia 40 degrees Celsius. In western Central Greece and western Peloponnese 38 to 40 degrees Celsius, while in Thessaly, eastern Central Greece and eastern Peloponnese 41 to 42 degrees Celsius. In the island country the temperature will reach 35 to 37 degrees Celsius, in the eastern Aegean islands, the Ionian islands and the Dodecanese 38 to 39 degrees Celsius, while locally in the interior of Crete probably 40 to 42 degrees Celsius. In Attica, maximum temperatures will reach 40 to 41 degrees Celsius in the interior and possibly 42 degrees Celsius in some places, while in the coastal areas it will be 3 to 5 degrees lower. Note that the minimum temperature will also be very high and will be around 26 to 29 degrees Celsius.
