A new wave of bad weather is approaching in the next 24 hours, bringing biting cold and snow to several areas. The significant drop in temperature is expected from Wednesday, February 19, due to cold air masses moving into the country from the northeast.

A video by Meteo illustrates the movement of these air masses at an altitude of approximately 1,500 meters, a level used for tracking temperature fluctuations in the lower atmosphere. The colder air masses are shown in shades of blue.

It is noted that these cold air masses will cover the entire Balkan region, Turkey, parts of the Middle East, as well as the northern sections of Egypt and Libya.

According to available forecast data, low temperatures will persist until the beginning of the following week.

Meteorologist and director of the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY), Theodoros Kolydas, states that temperatures are expected to drop 3 to 6 degrees below normal levels.

“In Athens specifically, from Wednesday onwards, maximum temperatures will remain in single digits, persisting until Sunday, with a tendency to rise afterward,” he wrote, among other things.

Η ΓΡΑΦΙΣΤΙΚΗ ΑΠΕΙΚΟΝΙΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΨΥΧΡΗΣ ΕΙΣΒΟΛΗΣ
Mε την βάση τα δεδομένα της #ΕΜΥ σας ετοιμάσαμε ένα βίντεο, το οποίο δείχνει την έντονη ψυχρή εισβολή, τις επόμενες ημέρες στη χώρα μας, η οποία έρχεται σε δύο κύματα.
Σήμερα το βράδυ στο Κεντρικό Δελτίο του Star θα παρουσιάσουμε… pic.twitter.com/QpoRqSyCeH

— Theodoros Kolydas (@KolydasT) February 17, 2025

A video he published presents a graphic representation of the cold front, which is arriving in two waves.

Kallianos: The ‘X-Ray’ of the Upcoming Cold Front

Meteorologist Giannis Kallianos presents the “X-ray” of the upcoming cold front, which will send temperatures plunging by 10-12 degrees compared to previous days.

The cold air mass set to affect us from Wednesday, February 19, has certain characteristics worth noting:

1. This will be a cold snap featuring significantly low temperatures, which under normal circumstances would be sufficient for snowfall at very low altitudes. However, as of now, the potential formation of a low-pressure system near Rhodes—crucial for widespread snowfall—has not been confirmed.
2. As a result, there isn’t enough moisture accompanying this influx of polar-origin cold air masses to significantly increase the chances of snowfall.
3. However, temperatures of -12°C and -13°C at an altitude of 1,470-1,500 meters in the northeastern Aegean, as these cold air masses enter Greece, could—along with other factors—activate the “Aegean mechanism,” forming clouds that could reach parts of Evia and Attica, depositing this moisture in the form of snowfall, initially in coastal areas and then further inland.
4. This “mechanism,” scientifically known as the “Aegean Lake Effect” or “Aegean effect snow,” is one that forecasting models struggle to predict with precision. If it activates, meteorologists who expected little snowfall in Attica will be proven wrong. If it doesn’t, those predicting significant snowfall will be caught off guard. As you can see, it’s a tricky situation.
5. Oddly enough, it seems more likely that even brief snowfall could occur near Heraklion, Crete, rather than in central Attica. In fact, significant snow is more probable on islands of the northeastern, central, and southern Aegean—even right by the shore—than in the southern parts of Attica.
6. Many mountainous areas (and not just them) will face intense cold during this cold snap. For example, temperatures as low as -10°C will be recorded in Western Macedonia, while Eastern Macedonia’s mountainous regions could see -14°C to -15°C. Even in some elevated areas of central and southern mainland Greece, we might see -6°C to -7°C. Farmers should brace themselves for a severe frost, even in lowland areas.
7. In Attica, I expect local snowfall in the northern part of the region above 400 meters on Wednesday, above 300 meters on Thursday, and possibly at even lower altitudes from Friday onwards. In short, any surprises in Attica are most likely on Friday, Saturday, or even Sunday. That being said, I’m accounting for the ‘unpredictable factor’—the Aegean mechanism. If it kicks in, snowfall in Attica could be heavy at times; if not, it will be much more localized and generally weak.
8. We haven’t mentioned Thessaloniki yet, but here’s something worth noting: On Tuesday night into early Wednesday, snowfall may briefly occur very close to the city—something no one else seems to be talking about. And yet, it could happen.
9. Central-Eastern Thessaly, Central Greece, Eastern Macedonia, and Thrace will see notable snowfall at the beginning of the cold front, particularly on Wednesday, even at relatively low altitudes.
10. Regardless, Friday, Saturday, and possibly Sunday will be the coldest days of the upcoming cold snap.
11. The ‘Aegean mechanism’ will only be observable in real-time, not through forecasts—meaning we’ll know only a few hours before it activates. If it does, significant snowfall could occur in unexpected places, including Attica. But ultimately, the weather has the final say.
12. In Athens, today (Tuesday), the maximum temperature will reach 14-15°C, dropping to 11-12°C on Wednesday, 8-9°C on Thursday, 7°C on Friday, and 5-6°C on Saturday. However, in northern parts of Attica, maximum temperatures will be 2-3°C lower. As for minimum temperatures, from Friday onward, they could drop to 0°C or even -1°C in northern parts of the region.

Today’s Weather

Increased cloud cover with localized rain is expected in most parts of the country. Snowfall will occur in the central and northern mountains, northern semi-mountainous areas, and temporarily in lower-altitude regions of Central and Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.

Temperatures:

• Northern Greece: 1°C to 9°C
• Epirus: 3°C to 15°C
• Thessaly: 5°C to 10°C
• Central Greece: 6°C to 14°C
• Peloponnese: 3°C to 14°C
• Northern Aegean Islands: 6°C to 15°C
• Central and Southern Aegean: 9°C to 18°C
• Ionian Islands: 8°C to 15°C
• Crete: 8°C to 18°C

Winds:

• Northerly directions, 3-5 Beaufort
• Northeastern Aegean: Northeasterly up to 6 Beaufort

Attica: Overcast with local showers. Winds variable, 2-4 Beaufort, temperatures from 9°C to 14°C.

Thessaloniki: Overcast with local showers and light snowfall in the mountains. Winds easterly, 2-4 Beaufort, temperatures from 4°C to 9°C.