The INES weather system is bringing a triple impact of rain, dust, and gusty winds, prompting an emergency bulletin from the National Meteorological Service (EMY) and warnings from the Athens National Observatory.

According to meteorologist and Research Director at the Athens Observatory, Kostas Lagouvardos, “We are currently experiencing a weather event that will affect our country from Thursday evening until Friday, characterized mainly by the passage of a low-pressure system coming from Africa passing through the western parts of Greece.”

He explains that “this system will cause heavy rainfall in several areas, mainly in the western, central, and northern regions, during Thursday night and Friday, so caution is advised especially in northwestern Macedonia and Thessaly.”

He also notes that “in eastern and southern regions, such as Crete, the Cyclades, and the Dodecanese, there will be scattered clouds and very strong southern winds. From early Friday morning, gale-force south winds of 7 to 8 Beaufort are expected, with gusts reaching 90 to 100 km/h. Therefore, during a 12-hour period on Friday, very strong southern winds will be present, requiring careful attention.”

The third component of the approaching weather system is African dust. “Simultaneously, this low-pressure system from Africa will carry a significant amount of dust, leading to high concentrations near the ground on Friday. However, by Saturday, as the southern winds weaken and shift to westerly directions, the dust will quickly clear from Greece,” says the meteorologist.

Emergency Bulletin from EMY
According to EMY’s special bulletin, strong rains and thunderstorms are forecasted:

1. From Thursday night (15-05-25) to Friday morning (16-05-25) in the regions of Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Ithaca, northwestern Peloponnese, western and central Sterea, and Thessaly.
2. On Friday (16-05-25) from early morning until evening in northern Ionian (including Corfu, Diapontia Islands, Paxos, Lefkada), Epirus, western Sterea, and western and central Macedonia.
3. From Friday afternoon (16-05-25) until Saturday morning (17-05-25) in eastern Macedonia, Thrace, and northeastern Aegean (Lemnos area).

Locally, southeastern winds of 8 to 9 Beaufort are expected on Friday in the Aegean Sea and Crete, and until noon in the southern Ionian and Peloponnese.

Meteorological conditions also favor the transport of African dust to southern Greece, especially Crete, the Cyclades, Dodecanese, and southern Peloponnese.

Rainfalls, Strong Southeast Winds, and Elevated Dust Levels on Friday
According to forecast data from meteo.gr / Athens Observatory, on Friday, 16/05, rainfall (with local downpours), strong southeast winds in the Aegean, and high levels of African dust are expected. More details:

Rain will mainly affect western, central, and northern parts of Greece, with thunderstorms likely in the northwest. There will also be significant transport of African dust, especially in the south. The accompanying forecast map shows the estimated cumulative rainfall until the end of Friday, including rainfall from Thursday night (15/05).

Triple Impact of the Weather with Rain, Dust, and Gusty Winds – Regions Requiring Caution
Winds in the southern and eastern Aegean will blow from the southeast at an average of 7 Beaufort, with gusts up to 8 Beaufort. In the Ionian, winds until noon will be easterly to southeasterly at moderate speeds of 5-6 Beaufort, with localized 7 Beaufort in the south. Later, in the south, winds will shift to westerly and southwesterly at 6-7 Beaufort. The forecast maps show the estimated maximum gusts (km/h) in the morning and midday/afternoon of Friday, with gusts exceeding 90 km/h in some areas.

Detailed EMY Forecast for Friday

Attica
Weather: Cloudy with local rain and possible isolated thunderstorms mainly in the morning.
Winds: Southeast 4-5 Beaufort, shifting to south-southwest 6-7 Beaufort from noon.
Temperature: 11°C to 23°C.

Thessaloniki
Weather: Cloudy with rain and thunderstorms, some heavy, from morning onwards.
Winds: Southeast 4-5 Beaufort, shifting to north-northwest in the afternoon, same intensity.
Temperature: 11°C to 19°C.

Macedonia, Thrace
Weather: Cloudy with rain and thunderstorms. Heavy rainfall possible in western and central Macedonia from morning to evening, and in eastern Macedonia and Thrace from afternoon.
Winds: Southeast 3-5 Beaufort, shifting to east-northeast 3-5 in the afternoon, turning to south 6-7 in Thrace at night.
Temperature: 9°C to 20°C.

Ionian Islands, Epirus, Western Sterea, Western Peloponnese
Weather: Cloudy with rain and thunderstorms, some heavy in Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Ithaca, northwestern Peloponnese, and western Sterea early morning; later in the day, in Corfu, Diapontia Islands, Paxos, Lefkada, Epirus, and western Sterea.
Winds: Southeast 5-6 Beaufort, locally 7 in the Ionian, up to 8 in southern areas until noon. Winds will turn to westerly and northwesterly 5-7 in the evening.
Temperature: 13°C to 21°C, up to 23°C in the south.

Eastern Sterea, Evia, Eastern Peloponnese
Weather: Cloudy with rain and thunderstorms, heavy at times in central Sterea early morning.
Winds: Southeast 4-6 Beaufort, up to 7-8 in southern Peloponnese until noon, shifting to south-southwest 6-7 in the afternoon.
Temperature: 13°C to 23-24°C.

Cyclades, Crete
Weather: Scattered clouds, increasing in the morning with local rain and isolated thunderstorms mainly in the Cyclades.
Winds: Southeast 6-7, locally 8 Beaufort, turning to westerly and southwesterly in the afternoon from the west.
Temperature: 15°C to 24°C, up to 27°C in Crete.

Eastern Aegean Islands – Dodecanese
Weather: Clouds with rain and thunderstorms, especially in the northern islands like Lemnos from the afternoon.
Winds: Southeast 5-6, strengthening quickly to 7-8 Beaufort with slight weakening overnight.
Temperature: 16°C to 24°C, slightly lower in the north.

Thessaly
Weather: Cloudy with rain and thunderstorms, some heavy early morning.
Winds: Southeast 4-5 Beaufort, shifting to north in the afternoon, 3-5 Beaufort.
Temperature: 10°C to 20°C.

Weather Outlook for Saturday, May 17
In western, central, and northern mainland Greece, as well as the islands of northern and eastern Aegean, expect temporary increased clouds with local rain and scattered thunderstorms, some strong early morning in eastern Macedonia, Thrace, and the northeastern Aegean, then rapidly improving. The rest of the country will see temporary clouds. The transport of African dust is favored in the south.

Winds in western, central, and northern Greece will be from the west and northwest, 4-6 Beaufort. In other regions, initially south-southwest 4-6, locally 7 in the Aegean, gradually shifting to westerly directions with the same intensity. Temperatures will decrease slightly in the west and south, reaching 20-22°C in the north and 22-24°C in the rest of the country, with some inland areas up to 25°C.

Forecast for Sunday, May 18
In the islands of the eastern Aegean, expect few clouds with temporary increases until the afternoon, with local rain. Elsewhere, generally clear weather with some clouds in mainland regions around noon and afternoon, possibly with local showers in the mountains.

Winds: West-northwest 4-5, locally 6 Beaufort in the south, temporarily 7.
Temperatures: Little change expected.

Weather for Monday, May 19
Generally clear weather. During noon and afternoon, temporary clouds may develop over central and northern mainland Greece, with possible local showers in northern mountains. Winds from the west, 3-5 Beaufort, locally 6 in the southern seas. Slight temperature increase expected.

Weather for Tuesday, May 20
Generally clear weather. Temporary clouds in the central and northern mainland during noon and afternoon, with possible local showers in the mountains of Macedonia and Thrace. Winds variable, light, with north-northwest 4-6 Beaufort in the seas, locally 7 in the southeastern Aegean. Slight further temperature rise anticipated.