The storm system loomed over the eastern Aegean islands on Monday morning, with heavy rainfall and thunderstorms battering certain areas since yesterday. Islands like Paros and Mykonos have been hit with hail and flooding, while a 112 emergency alert banning movement was issued in Paros and Mykonos.

According to the updated Emergency Weather Bulletin from the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY), locally heavy rain and storms are expected at intervals until Wednesday morning (02-04-25) across most of the eastern mainland.

Specifically:

A. In the Cyclades until midday Tuesday (01-04-25). The weather will be locally dangerous until the early hours of Tuesday. B. In the eastern Aegean islands (particularly around Chios, Ikaria, and Samos) until Tuesday evening. C. In eastern Central Greece and Evia until Tuesday midday. D. In Attica temporarily until the early hours of Tuesday. E. In Thessaly and the Sporades from early Tuesday until the same evening. F. In the Dodecanese from early Tuesday until early Wednesday. G. In western and southern Crete from Tuesday evening until early Wednesday morning.

112 alerts in Chios, Samos, Ikaria Late Monday night, the emergency number 112 sent an alert to residents of Chios, Samos, and Ikaria warning of severe weather phenomena expected to be locally intense. At the same time, residents were urged to exercise caution when traveling.

Paros and Mykonos put to the test The scene that unfolded in Matogiannia early last night perfectly captured what most of the Cycladic islands have been enduring since midday when the storm hit.

A man, knee-deep in water and with rain pouring down, asks if anyone is coming to help, and someone replies, “God is, but He’s not listening,” while across from him, a young woman stands helplessly on a small ledge, unable to move.

Flooding in Mykonos

The strong thunderstorms that first struck Paros and then moved to Mykonos and Syros, accompanied by hail, caused major damage to roads and shops, which were swept away by water and mud.

Cars end up in Matogiannia!

The intensity of the afternoon rainfall was such that nothing could hold back the water, mud, and debris. It swept everything in its path, including cars that ended up in Lakka, while those caught off guard had no idea how to escape from the island’s most famous street.

Trees were uprooted, shops flooded, and – weather permitting – today a first assessment of the damage will be made. The 112 alert advised residents to stay indoors.

Hail in Mykonos

Dozens of emergency calls were received by the Fire Department for water removal, while Merchia beach turned brown from the muddy waters that poured in, as the storm also struck the ring road.

Chaos in Naoussa, Paros The heavy storm that hit Paros left deep marks in both Parikia and Naoussa, which experienced scenes of destruction, as water carried cars for dozens of meters and flooded shops.

A business owner in Parikia was in tears speaking about the damage to their business, while two people were rescued outside Naoussa, whose streets turned into rivers due to the heavy downpour.

All schools and nurseries will remain closed today. The Fire Department received sixty calls, conducted thirteen rescues, and three vehicles with six firefighters arrived from Naxos to assist.

Floods in Naoussa, Paros

Flood in Paros

Highest rainfall levels

On Monday, the highest rainfall was recorded in Mykonos, according to Meteo. The highest daily rainfall up to 20:20 was recorded at the National Observatory of Athens’ automatic weather station in Mykonos and reached 71.6 mm. Of those, 65 mm fell in just two hours between 17:10 and 19:10 Monday afternoon.

The map shows the daily rainfall levels up to 20:20 on Monday 31/03, while the table presents the eight highest as recorded by 537 weather stations in the National Observatory of Athens’ network:

Mykonos: 71.6 mm of rain Thassos: 54 mm Amfikleia: 42.4 mm Tinos Porto: 38 mm Paros: 36.6 mm Skopelos: 34.6 mm Koromilia, Fthiotida: 33 mm Kofoi, Magnesia: 30.6 mm

Schools closed in Paros, Mykonos, Rhodes, Syros, Kos and Symi

At the same time, school facilities in Paros and Mykonos will remain closed today, according to municipal announcements.

Specifically, the Municipality of Paros stated that all primary and secondary schools as well as municipal nurseries will be suspended to ensure the safety of students and educators.

“The storm affecting the Cyclades continues, and residents of Mykonos should remain indoors while it is ongoing.

Schools will remain closed today, Tuesday.

Safety is the top priority. The Municipality of Mykonos is working and will continue to work hard with all its resources to restore the damage caused by the storm. We urge citizens to remain calm, follow instructions, and cooperate with the Authorities,” the Mykonos municipality said in a statement.

By decision of Rhodes Mayor Alexandros Koliadis, schools at all levels (kindergartens, primary, middle, and high schools), as well as nurseries, will remain closed on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, due to the severe weather forecast by the HNMS. The decision was made as a precaution to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and their families.

The Mayor of Syros-Hermoupolis, Alexandros Athanasiou, announced that schools and nurseries will be closed on Tuesday, April 1.

Also, by decision of Kos Mayor Theodosis Nikitaras, primary and secondary schools and nurseries will be closed on Tuesday, April 1, throughout the island.

The Municipality of Kos urges residents to be extra cautious for everyone’s safety and avoid unnecessary movement.

Schools in Symi will also be closed tomorrow following a decision by the mayor.

Over 160 emergency calls in Paros and Mykonos yesterday

According to the Fire Department, roads mainly in the area of Naoussa and also in Kolymbithres, Paros, were flooded, bringing down debris and sweeping away parked cars.

In total, 160 calls were received by the Fire Department’s Operations Center yesterday due to the heavy rainfall in Paros and Mykonos.

The Fire Department urges all citizens to be especially cautious and, in case of severe weather events, to strictly follow the instructions of the competent authorities.

Meanwhile, patrols are underway by Fire Department units, the Hellenic Police, and Civil Protection. It is noted that a Fire Department helicopter attempted to reach the island, but this was not possible due to the weather.

Today’s weather

Cloud cover will increase across the country with rain and thunderstorms. The phenomena will be locally intense in the eastern mainland, Evia, the Sporades, Crete, and the eastern Aegean. Hailstorms are also possible in the Aegean, Evia, Crete, and the eastern mainland.

Temperatures will range from 5 to 14°C in Western Macedonia, 8 to 18°C in the rest of Macedonia, Thrace, and Epirus, 10 to 17°C in Thessaly, 9 to 18°C (locally 19°C) in other mainland areas, 11 to 17°C in the Ionian islands, 12 to 18°C in the Aegean islands, and 12 to 20–21°C in Crete and the Dodecanese.

Winds in the west will be variable at 2 to 4 Beaufort, southwesterly at 3 to 5 Beaufort in the south, northeasterly at 3 to 5 in the northern Aegean, and southeasterly at 4 to 6, reaching 7 in the morning, in the southeastern Aegean.

In Attica, clouds, rain, and scattered thunderstorms are expected. Winds will shift from northwesterly to southwesterly at 3 to 5 Beaufort, and temperatures will range from 12 to 19°C.

In Thessaloniki, clouds, local showers, and scattered thunderstorms are forecast. Winds will be northwesterly at 3 to 5 Beaufort, and temperatures will range from 11 to 15°C.

Weather on Wednesday (02/04)

In the eastern part of the country, cloudiness, rain, and scattered thunderstorms are forecast. In the early hours, the phenomena in the Dodecanese and western and southern Crete will be locally intense. Elsewhere, temporarily increased cloudiness with local showers and isolated thunderstorms is expected during midday and afternoon hours.

Winds will blow from northern directions at 3 to 5 Beaufort in central and northern areas, and from the southwest at 4 to 6 Beaufort in the south.

Temperatures will not change significantly, reaching 16–17°C in most regions, and 18–19°C in southern island areas.

Weather on Thursday (03/04)

Partly cloudy skies with occasional showers, mainly in the east. Isolated thunderstorms may occur in mainland areas during midday and afternoon.

Winds will be northerly at 3 to 5 Beaufort.

Temperatures will remain stable.

Weather on Friday (04/04)

In central and northern regions, increased clouds with local showers. In other areas, partly cloudy skies temporarily increasing in the afternoon on the mainland, where local showers or isolated thunderstorms may occur.

Winds will be northerly at 3 to 5 Beaufort.

Temperatures will drop slightly in the north.

Weather on Saturday (05/04)

Partly cloudy skies, occasionally thicker in central and southern parts of the country, with local showers and scattered thunderstorms.

Winds will blow from the north at 3 to 4 Beaufort and from the west at 4 to 5 Beaufort in Crete and the Dodecanese.

Temperatures will not change significantly.