A winter scene is set to unfold from Friday evening, according to meteorologist Klearhos Marousakis, who detailed in a post how the weather system following “Elena” will progress.

It is reminded that according to the emergency weather deterioration bulletin issued by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY) for the “Elena” storm, “on Friday, December 27th, the phenomena (rain and snowfalls) will weaken in most regions. However, in the Aegean and locally in parts of the eastern mainland, gale-force northeast winds will persist.”

According to Mr. Marousakis, “rain, storms – mainly in coastal and seaside areas – and snow even at lower altitudes will occur, while the gale-force northern winds will severely disrupt maritime transport towards the Aegean.”

He noted that the regions to be affected include those south of Halkidiki and east of the Pindus mountain range. The reason behind this development, as per Mr. Marousakis, is “a new atmospheric disturbance from Ukraine moving south-southwest, entering the Aegean.”

The meteorologist from OPEN specifically mentions, “Evia will be in the ‘red zone’ of this snowstorm. Snow is also expected in the islands of the northeastern Aegean, albeit briefly, while after Evia, areas at high risk include eastern and southern Thessaly, Attic-Boeotia, mountainous and semi-mountainous areas of the Peloponnese, and even the mountains of Crete (in terms of snowfall).”

Regarding Attica, he states, “Heavy snow is expected in all the mountains and semi-mountainous regions, with a strong likelihood of snow even in lower altitudes in the northern parts of the prefecture.”

THE STORM PERSISTS – A NEW WEATHER SETBACK
With the storm persisting in areas east of the Pindus mountain range, we will reach Friday, during which rain, storms – mainly in coastal areas – and snow at even lower altitudes will occur. Gale-force northern winds will significantly disrupt maritime transport towards the Aegean.

UKRAINIAN SNOWSTORM THIS WEEKEND
A new weather setback is expected from Friday evening, once again affecting the same regions, namely areas south of Halkidiki and east of the Pindus mountain range.

The reason for this development is a new atmospheric disturbance from Ukraine. As shown in the first map, marked with the letter “Χ” and intense blue color, it will move south-southwest, entering the Aegean.

This time, in addition to rain, storms, and snow in mountainous and semi-mountainous areas, we are highly likely to experience heavy snowfalls and snowstorms even at very low altitudes.

Evia will be in the “red zone” of this snowstorm. Snow is also expected in the northeastern Aegean islands, albeit briefly. Following Evia, areas at high risk include eastern and southern Thessaly, Attic-Boeotia, mountainous and semi-mountainous regions of the Peloponnese, and even the mountains of Crete (concerning snowfalls).

FOR ATTICA
Heavy snow is expected in all mountainous and semi-mountainous regions, with a strong possibility of snow reaching even lower altitudes in the northern parts of the region. Snowstorms are also quite likely!

WHY WE’RE TALKING ABOUT SNOWSTORMS
The anticipated disturbance will be strongly supported by a well-organized polar air mass at high altitudes. As this mass passes over the warmer Aegean, it will create significant instability.

Due to low atmospheric temperatures near the ground, snowstorms – characterized by intense snowfall accompanied by electrical discharges (lightning and thunder) – are highly probable. This will result in very rapid snow accumulation even if surface temperatures are not particularly favorable. Exercise caution!

The EMY forecast for the weather until Monday
FORECAST FOR FRIDAY, 27-12-2024
In the eastern parts of the country, increased cloud cover with localized rain is expected, and sporadic storms in the Cyclades, Crete, and the southern Dodecanese. In western Greece, a mix of few clouds will temporarily increase.

Snowfalls will occur in mountainous areas and semi-mountainous regions of eastern Macedonia and Thrace, gradually extending to other central and northern mountainous regions.

Winds will blow northerly-northeasterly: 4 to 6 Beaufort in the west, 6 to 8 Beaufort in the east, and occasionally reaching 9 Beaufort in the Aegean before easing by the afternoon. Around the Kastellorizo area, easterly winds of 5 to 6 Beaufort will ease by evening.

Temperatures will drop, especially in the north, where they will not exceed 5 to 7 degrees Celsius. In the western mainland and the Ionian, temperatures will reach 13 to 14 degrees, while the rest of the mainland will see 10 to 11 degrees. In the eastern island regions, temperatures will range from 14 to 15 degrees Celsius.

During the early morning and late evening hours, frost is expected locally in the mainland, likely severe in the northwestern regions.