Meteorologists forecast heavy winter conditions over much of Europe, with autumn-like weather, rain, southerly winds, and dust for Greece.
According to the latest forecast data, the weather this week is expected to resemble the “P-type” pattern. As meteorologist Giorgos Tzatrafylias states in a post, two atmospheric disturbances are expected in the upcoming week, on Wednesday-Thursday and Friday-Saturday. These will bring rain, thunderstorms, very strong southerly winds, snow in the mountains, and even Saharan dust. The regions likely to receive the heaviest rainfall will be western, northern Greece, and the eastern Aegean.
On his part, meteorologist Theodoros Kolydas predicts that rain is expected from today, mainly in western Greece, and in the coming days, in the north and eastern Aegean. Temperatures will rise in the middle of the week and then drop significantly over the weekend.
In another post, the director of the National Meteorological Service (EMY) mentions the temporary drop of the polar jet stream into Central Europe, where people will get a “first taste of winter.”
“We’ve often mentioned that the polar (and subtropical) jet stream is the guide for air masses traveling along the atmospheric planetary waves. This week, temperatures will drop significantly over Central Europe and the Northern Balkans, with snow making its presence felt, as the polar jet stream moves southward. However, this change will not last long, as the jet stream will shift direction next week, moving toward more northern latitudes, causing temperatures to rise at lower levels and at the surface.”
In Greece, the westerly wind in the middle levels of the atmosphere will bring substantial rain to the west, north, and eastern Aegean, while the rest of the country will not be significantly affected. Kolydas also points out that the upcoming change in jet stream circulation will prevent the movement of low-pressure systems toward Greece, meaning there will be no significant rainfalls.
Meteorologist Klearchos Marousakis also talks about heavy winter in Europe and autumn weather in Greece. According to the Open TV meteorologist, “An extensive, deep, and well-organized low-pressure system will bring heavy winter weather to much of Europe next week, with snow falling at very low altitudes and rain causing major disruptions. At the same time, while snow will blanket even large cities in Central Europe, Greece will experience temperatures reaching over 20°C in some areas.”
Marousakis notes that Greece will see substantial rainfall across many regions. “The western part of Greece will experience the heaviest rainfalls, followed by the northern and eastern Aegean. Other parts of the country will also be affected, resulting in what we call ‘P-type weather’ in meteorology. Southerly winds will dominate both land and sea, reaching storm-force levels in places, bringing African dust towards the south, with a particular focus on Crete.”
Temperatures Drop Below -3°C on Monday Morning
On Monday morning, November 18th, temperatures dropped below -3°C in several parts of Greece. According to the automatic weather station network of meteo.gr / National Observatory of Athens, the lowest temperature was recorded in Paranesti, Drama (-3.6°C), followed by Ptolemaida (-3.3°C) and Oxyro Nevrokopiou (-3.2°C). The table below shows the 8 stations in the network that recorded the lowest temperatures on Monday morning, November 18th.
Today’s Weather
Scattered clouds are expected today, which will increase mainly in the western regions by midday. Rain and possibly isolated thunderstorms will develop in the western parts of the country by the afternoon. Visibility will be locally restricted until morning and again towards the end of the day.
Temperatures will range from -2°C to 14°C in Western Macedonia, from -1°C to 15°C in the rest of Macedonia and Thrace, from 3°C to 16°C in Thessaly, from 2°C to 18°C in Epirus and Western Central Greece, from 3°C to 17°C in the rest of Central Greece, from 2°C to 19°C in the Peloponnese, from 7°C to 18°C in the Ionian Islands, from 3°C to 16°C in the Northern and Eastern Aegean Islands, from 6°C to 18°C in the Cyclades, from 11°C to 18°C in the Dodecanese, and from 9°C to 20°C in Crete.
Winds in the Aegean will vary in direction, blowing at 2 to 4 Beaufort, but will turn southerly from the afternoon, reaching 2 to 4 Beaufort. In the Ionian, winds will initially be variable at 2 to 4 Beaufort, but by midday they will gradually shift to southerly at 3 to 5 Beaufort.
Weather Forecast for Wednesday, November 20, 2024
In the Ionian, western mainland, eastern Aegean, Cyclades, and Crete, increased cloudiness with local rain is expected, and from the afternoon, isolated thunderstorms are likely, especially in the northwest and eastern Aegean. These phenomena will intensify during the evening hours and spread to the rest of the western mainland.
In the rest of the country, the weather will be generally clear with occasional clouds, particularly in the northern mainland. Visibility will be locally restricted in the morning, mainly in central and northern areas. Dust transport is expected, especially in the west and south.
Winds will be westerly to southwesterly at 4 to 5 Beaufort, gradually increasing to 6 Beaufort locally in the Ionian. In the eastern parts, winds will be southerly to southwesterly at 4 to 6 Beaufort, and in the Aegean, they will gradually increase to 7 Beaufort.
Temperatures will rise slightly, reaching 16 to 18°C in the north, and 19 to 22°C in the rest of the country, with southern areas and Crete possibly reaching 23°C.
Forecast for Thursday, November 21, 2024
Initially, the weather will be unstable in the Ionian, western mainland, eastern Aegean, Cyclades, and Crete, with rain and sporadic thunderstorms. From the afternoon, the weather is expected to improve temporarily in the Ionian and western mainland, and gradually in the Cyclades and Crete, while in the eastern Aegean, the phenomena will persist.
In the rest of the country, there will be occasional clouds and local rain in the northern mainland during midday hours.
Winds will initially be westerly to southwesterly at 5 to 6 Beaufort, locally reaching 7 Beaufort in the seas. Gradually, winds will shift to northerly directions in the west and from the afternoon in the northern Aegean, weakening in the process.
Temperatures will drop slightly in the north.
Forecast for Friday, November 22, 2024
In the Ionian, western mainland, and Dodecanese, the weather will be unstable with rain, which will intensify in the west and lead to sporadic thunderstorms, particularly in the northwest.
In the rest of the country, there will be scattered clouds that will increase, bringing local rain, particularly in the central and northern mountains and the eastern Aegean.
Winds will initially be westerly to southwesterly at 4 to 5 Beaufort, gradually increasing to 6 to 7 Beaufort in the seas, with the possibility of reaching 8 Beaufort locally in the northern Aegean by night.
Temperatures will remain relatively stable.
Forecast for Saturday, November 23, 2024
The weather will be unstable in the eastern island regions, with rain and thunderstorms, possibly strong in some areas, but gradually improving by the afternoon.
In the rest of the country, there will be increased cloudiness with local rain, and isolated thunderstorms are expected in the western and northern mainland. From midday onwards, gradual improvement will occur, starting in the northwest, except in Crete.
Winds will initially be westerly to southwesterly at 5 to 6 Beaufort, with seas reaching 7 and possibly 8 Beaufort locally. Winds will quickly shift to northerly directions with similar strength.
Temperatures will drop.
