The weather will remain almost springlike until tomorrow, Saturday, with high humidity, localized fog, a few scattered showers, and elevated temperatures. However, a sharp change is expected starting Sunday.

Snowfall may occur as early as late Sunday night, even in Thessaloniki, according to the latest meteorological forecasts. Municipalities in Thessaloniki are preparing for the imminent severe weather.

Weather Developments and Forecast by Ziakopoulos

A cold front stretching from the Baltic Sea to Northern Italy is moving eastward, while high-pressure systems dominate North Africa and Turkey. Under these conditions, western winds up to 5 Beaufort will prevail in Greece today, Friday, alongside unseasonably high temperatures. In the morning, inland areas may experience fog, with light rain mainly in Western Greece and the Eastern Aegean.

On Saturday, January 11, localized clouds and scattered showers are forecast, primarily in Northwestern Greece, Northern Greece, the Eastern Aegean, and the Dodecanese. Winds will blow southwest to northwest at 4-6 Beaufort, shifting to northeast by evening in the northeastern Aegean. Temperatures will drop in northern areas.

On Sunday, January 12, significant weather changes are expected, featuring rain, localized thunderstorms (mainly in the west), and snowfall in mountainous areas. In Northern Greece, particularly in Central and Western Macedonia, snow may fall in areas with relatively low altitudes. Rain in the eastern and southern islands will generally be localized and weak. Winds will be northeasterly in central and northern regions and southerly elsewhere, reaching 7 Beaufort. Temperatures will drop in central and northern parts of the country.

Cities Likely to Experience Snow from Sunday Night to Monday Noon

• Veria
• Edessa
• Kavala
• Komotini
• Kilkis
• Thessaloniki

Western Macedonia Group: (Kastoria, Kozani, Grevena, Florina).

Snowplows Ready with Engines Warmed Up

Authorities are on alert and have already made the necessary preparations in case of heavy snowfall. Salt sacks are ready, and snowplow engines are “warming up.”

“We are fully prepared and monitoring forecasts,” stated Ignatios Kaitezidis, Mayor of Pylaia-Hortiatis and President of the Central Macedonia Regional Municipalities Association, in an interview with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.

With 21 snowplows and 2,000 tons of salt, the municipality is prepared for any scenario. Hortiatis, as the first area to “turn white,” is a priority. Should the forecasts prove accurate, an SMS alert will be sent to residents with protection measures and information on municipal spaces that will remain open to serve the public during the emergency.

Thessaloniki Municipality Awaiting Weather Update

In Thessaloniki, Deputy Mayor for Sanitation, Recycling, and Civil Protection, Giorgos Dimarelos, told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency yesterday that preparations are complete, and the updated weather bulletin is now awaited.

The central municipality’s equipment is ready, as is the salt supply for any contingency. Depending on the weather’s evolution, there may be changes to the routes for green and blue bin collection.

Today’s Weather

Localized clouds are expected across the country. In Western Greece, the islands of the Eastern Aegean, and the Dodecanese, clouds will be denser, with a few light, scattered showers. Visibility will be limited in many areas at night and early morning, with localized fog.

Temperatures:

• Western Macedonia: -2°C to 14°C
• Northern Greece: 2°C to 15-16°C
• Thessaly: 2°C to 16-18°C
• Epirus: 4°C to 17-18°C
• Other mainland regions: 7°C to 17-19°C
• Ionian Islands: 11°C to 17°C
• Aegean Islands and Crete: 9°C to 17-19°C

• Winds:
  • Central, Eastern, and Northern Aegean: Southwest at 4-5 Beaufort
  • Southern Aegean: Westerly at 4-5 Beaufort
  • Ionian: Initially southwest at 4-5 Beaufort, later shifting to westerly with the same intensity.

Athens: Periods of increased clouds. Limited visibility at night and early morning. Winds from the west at 3-4 Beaufort. Temperature: 11°C to 17°C.

Thessaloniki: Intermittent clouds. Limited visibility at night and early morning. Winds of various directions at 2-3 Beaufort. Temperature: 7°C to 14°C.

Saturday, January 11, 2025

Intermittent clouds across the country. Rain is expected in Western, Northern Greece, and the eastern/southern Aegean. Morning visibility will be locally limited.

Winds:

• Western and southern areas: Westerly at 4-6 Beaufort
• Other areas: Northeasterly at 3-4 Beaufort, increasing to 5-6 Beaufort in the northeast by afternoon.Temperatures: Drop in the north, remaining unseasonably high in central and southern regions.

Sunday, January 12, 2025

Increased clouds and rain nationwide. Scattered thunderstorms, mainly in the west, and snow in the western mountains. By evening, snowfall will reach northern low-altitude areas and central mountainous regions.

Winds:

• North: Northeasterly at 5-6 Beaufort, increasing to 7-8 Beaufort in the northern Aegean from noon.
• Other areas: Southerly at 4-6 Beaufort.Temperatures: A further 4-5°C drop in northern and central regions.

Monday, January 13, 2025

Increased clouds with rain nationwide. Scattered thunderstorms in the Ionian, temporarily in the eastern mainland and northeastern Aegean. Snowfall in mountainous areas and northern highlands.

• Winds:
  • West and south: South-southeasterly at 5-7 Beaufort.
  • East and north: Northeasterly at 6-8 Beaufort.