The “wave” of bad weather affecting our country since yesterday is worsening today, with the main features being rain, thunderstorms and high lightning activity. The phenomena are expected to weaken late Thursday evening.

As of early morning, the bad weather is significantly affecting areas of northern Greece and mainly eastern Macedonia and part of central Greece, according to a post on social media today by EMF director Thodoris Kolydas.

In a post on the X platform, he said:

“Good morning. The current situation confirms the forecasts regarding the first part of the emergency, with storms affecting eastern Macedonia and part of Central Macedonia with rapidity ,but without large amounts of precipitation. Review of the forecasts for the remaining areas in a few hours, so that in the ( last) update of the emergency to give more accurate temporal and local information.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast today in eastern Macedonia and areas of central Macedonia (mainly the prefectures of Thessaloniki – Halkidiki) and the islands of the northeastern Aegean (north of Lesvos). Severe weather phenomena are also expected in Thessaly, Sporades, central and eastern Sterea (including Attica), eastern Peloponnese and Evia.

EMS has issued a new updated emergency bulletin ahead of the express weather warning of heavy rain and thunderstorms accompanied by a high frequency of lightning and local hail.

The phenomena, accompanied by a high frequency of lightning and local hail, will weaken late in the evening.

Showers and thunderstorms are forecast in the central, eastern and northern areas, which will be locally heavy. Gradual weakening of the phenomena is expected from the evening. In the rest of the country a few clouds, partly increasing in the mainland in the afternoon and in the evening, when local rain and occasional thunderstorms will occur.

Winds will blow in the west northwest 3 to 5 Beaufort, in the east variable 3 to 4 and gradually north and in the southern Aegean west 4 to 6 Beaufort. The temperature will drop. It will reach 28 to 30 degrees Celsius and in places on the mainland and Crete 31 degrees Celsius.

In Attica, a few clouds are forecasted, which will gradually increase and heavy rain and occasional thunderstorms will occur, locally strong at noon. Gradual weakening of phenomena is expected from the afternoon. The winds will blow variable 3 to 4 Beaufort and from the evening northerly with the same intensity. The temperature will range from 21 to 31 degrees Celsius.

In Thessaloniki, clouds are expected to increase with showers and occasional strong thunderstorms in places. Gradual weakening of the phenomena is expected from the midday hours. Winds will blow variable 3 to 4 Beaufort and the temperature will range from 20 to 28 to 29 degrees Celsius.

On Friday, the weather will be generally clear in most areas, but in the morning in eastern Central Greece, Evia and eastern Thessaly and in the afternoon and afternoon hours in the rest of the mainland and Crete, clouds will develop and it is possible, especially in the mountains, local rainfall. Winds will blow north-northwest 3 to 5 and locally in the Aegean Sea 6 Beaufort. The temperature will rise slightly, mainly in the west and north and will reach 33 to 35 degrees Celsius on the mainland and 29 to 32 degrees Celsius on the islands.

Warning from 112 for Thessaloniki, Pieria, Chalkidiki, Kavala

112 has sounded in the regions of Thessaloniki, Pieria, Halkidiki and Kavala for severe weather phenomena, according to a report by ERT. The warning message for hail, lightning and thunderstorms received by residents of the four regions of Macedonia concerns the period from the early morning hours of Thursday (4/7) until noon of the same day.

Civil Protection via 112 asks residents of the regions that received the warning SMS “to limit travel during the phenomena and follow the instructions of the authorities.”

The Risk Assessment Committee held an emergency meeting yesterday, while the Civil Protection Coordination Committee met in view of the dangerous weather conditions.

Mr. Kikilias said that “especially for this bad weather, great care is needed with regard to lightning on land and sea.”