The weather seems to have gone mad, as while almost all over the country yesterday the mercury had “hit red” with several areas seeing 40s, in Ioannina within two hours the temperature dropped 16ᵒC and the humidity reached 99%, while the storm that hit the area knocked down trees and columns.

The incident was recorded by Aris Bartzokas, a professor of meteorology at the University of Ioannina, and shared on social media by the director of the National Weather Service, Thodoris Kolydas. Specifically, at 2 p.m. Thursday (11/7), the temperature at the University’s weather station was 37 degrees Celsius and the humidity was 22%. Two hours later, the mercury read 21 degrees Celsius, with a humidity rate of 99%. Drop and rise 16°C and 77%, respectively,that is, in the space of two hours.

Trees and pillars fell from the strong gust

Firefighters were immediately mobilized after the strong storm in Ioannina as they were called to intervene in ten incidents by cutting and removing trees from the roadway, house yards and even from cars, according to epirustvnews.gr.

Meanwhile, an electricity pole that fell in Vlachostrata stopped traffic and the traffic police rushed to the spot.

Heatwave in Greece for the next two weeks

At the same time, meteorologists are predicting a strong and prolonged heat wave to affect Eastern Europe and the Balkans in the coming period, with temperatures reaching and exceeding 40-42°C. The maximum temperature for the next 7 days is expected to exceed 42-44°C (10-12°C above the 1991-2020 average) in many areas of the Balkans including Greece.

EMF director Thodoris Kolydas warned of further temperature rise in the coming days in a post on X about the weather forecast for the next few days. He explained that the new rise in temperature is due to the tendency of warm air masses located in the west and east of the country to cover many areas.

On the contrary, by Saturday, the “wedge of melter,” he said, will remain in the east at high but relatively tolerable levels.

However, “locally, there will be no shortage of 40 to 41°C in the interior of mainland Greece and in areas not affected by the sea breeze,” the EMY director noted.

Where the temperature topped 40 degrees yesterday

High temperatures were recorded by the network of automatic meteorological stations of meteo.gr/National Observatory of Athens on Thursday 11/07. As shown in the map in the image below, the maximum temperature was recorded in Skala Messinia and was equal to 41.8 °C. In addition, the average maximum temperature in the country was equal to 35.2 °C, while 193 of the 505 active stations (at the present time) recorded temperatures above 37 °C, of which 20 recorded temperatures above 40 °C. Finally, lower temperatures were recorded in the Aegean region due to the predominance of the meltemi.

Very high fire risk today in Evros and Rodopi

Very high fire risk (risk category 4) is predicted today in the Regional Units of Evros and Rodopi, according to the Fire Risk Prediction Map issued by the General Secretariat of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection.

The General Secretariat of Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr) has informed the competent government departments involved, as well as the regions (Region of Ancient Macedonia-Thrace) and the municipalities of the above areas, in order to be on increased civil protection preparedness in order to deal immediately with any fire incidents.

The 2nd stage of operational readiness of the Fire Brigade remains in place and air surveillance patrols will be carried out, as well as patrols by fire, police and military forces.

The weather today

A few clouds are expected, which will increase locally during the warmer hours of the day. Heat stress will be increased in many areas of the country, with emphasis on urban centers.

The temperature will range in Western Macedonia from 18 to 36 degrees, in the rest of northern Greece from 20 to 37-39 and possibly locally 40 degrees, in Thessaly from 20 to 38-40 and locally 41, in Epirus from 22 to 37-38 degrees, in the rest of the mainland from 25 to 37-39 degrees and locally 40-41 degrees, in the Ionian Islands from 23 to 36-38 degrees, in the East Aegean islands from 24 to 36-38 degrees, in the rest of the Aegean islands and in Crete from 24 to 33-35 degrees Celsius.

The winds will blow, in the Aegean north-northwest at 4-5 Beaufort and locally 6 Beaufort and in the Ionian Sea northwest at 4-5 Beaufort.

SATURDAY 13-07-2024
Generally clear weather and only in the midday and afternoon hours on the mainland will local clouds develop and in the northern mountains (mainly in Epirus) local rainfall is possible.
The winds will blow in the west from the west northwest 3 to 4 and occasionally up to 5 Beaufort, in the east from the north 3 to 5 and locally in the Aegean up to 6 Beaufort.
The temperature will be high mainly in the interior of the mainland.
It will reach 38 to 40 and in some places 41 degrees Celsius on the mainland. It should be noted that in coastal areas, due to the sea breeze, maximum values will be 2 to 4 degrees lower. In the island country the temperature will reach 33 to 35 degrees Celsius and in some places on the Ionian and eastern Aegean islands and southern Crete 36 to 37 degrees Celsius.

SUNDAY 14-07-2024
Generally clear weather and only in the midday and afternoon hours on the mainland clouds will develop, and in the northwestern mountains local rainfall is possible.
Winds will blow from the north, in the west 2 to 4 and occasionally up to 5 Beaufort, and in the east 3 to 5 and in the Aegean up to 6 Beaufort.
The temperature will remain high in most parts of the country.
It will reach 39 to 40 degrees Celsius on the mainland and 41 to 42 degrees Celsius in some places on the western mainland. It should be noted that in coastal areas, due to the sea breeze, maximum values will be 2 to 4 degrees lower. In the island country the temperature will reach 33 to 36 degrees Celsius and in the Ionian Islands, the eastern Aegean and southern Crete 36 to 38 degrees Celsius.

MONDAY 15-07-2024
Generally clear weather.
Winds will blow in the west west west northwest 3 to 5 Beaufort, in the east from the north 3 to 5 and in the Aegean 6 and occasionally locally 7 Beaufort.
The temperature will not change significantly and will remain at high levels.

TUESDAY 16-07-2024
Generally clear weather.
Winds will blow from the north 3 to 5 and in the Aegean Sea 6 and occasionally up to 7 Beaufort.
The temperature will not change significantly and will remain high.