In the coming days, Greece will experience summer-like temperatures. However, cloudiness will persist, along with scattered local showers — including mud rain — due to moderate concentrations of African dust affecting central and southern regions.

According to meteorologist Giorgos Tsatrafyllias, the transport of warm air masses from the African coast begins today. These airflows will also bring Saharan dust, with the phenomenon peaking over the weekend, when temperatures will exceed 33°C.

Tsatrafyllias’ Post:

“A new wave of African heat and dust peaks over the weekend with 33–34°C!
Starting tomorrow, warm air masses will move in from the African coast, carrying Saharan dust. Southerly winds will prevail, not exceeding 5–6 Beaufort.

• This heatwave will peak over the weekend, with temperatures in Thessaly, eastern Central Greece, the Peloponnese, Crete, and the Dodecanese exceeding 33°C. In Attica, temperatures will reach 30–31°C.
• Dust concentrations will intensify from Thursday onward, mainly affecting the Ionian Islands, the Peloponnese, Central Greece (including Attica), Thessaly, and Crete.
• On Wednesday and Thursday, instability will develop in northern Greece, especially over mountainous areas, during midday and afternoon hours.”

Pollen Concentrations to Remain High in the Coming Days

We are currently in the peak period for atmospheric pollen levels across Greece, as confirmed by the latest forecast data from the European Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS).

Maps provided by the METEO unit of the National Observatory of Athens show expected surface-level concentrations of olive tree pollen (Maps 1 & 2) and grass pollen (Maps 3 & 4) for Tuesday, May 20 and Wednesday, May 21, during midday and afternoon.

Today’s Weather

Generally clear skies, with cloud cover in central and northern mainland Greece and the Ionian, where local showers and thunderstorms may develop over mountainous areas during the afternoon and evening.

Temperatures:

• Western Macedonia: 11–23°C
• Rest of Macedonia & Thrace: 12–29°C
• Ionian Islands: 14–25°C
• Epirus: 14–29°C
• Thessaly: 16–30°C
• Central Greece & Evia: 13–31°C
• Peloponnese: 14–29°C
• Aegean Islands: 12–27°C
• Dodecanese: 17–27°C
• Crete: 13–29°C

Winds: From southerly directions at 3–5 Beaufort, and in the southeastern Aegean, northwesterlies at 4–6 Beaufort.

Attica: Mostly clear with occasional clouds. Winds initially from the northwest, turning southerly at 2–4 Beaufort. Temperatures between 17–29°C.

Thessaloniki: Periods of cloudiness with local showers, and isolated thunderstorms over mountains in the afternoon. Light variable winds. Temperatures between 13–25°C.

Thursday (May 22) Forecast

Partly cloudy skies, at times denser in places, with temporary local showers or isolated storms in the Ionian in the morning and over mountainous mainland areas in the afternoon. Weather will improve by evening.

Winds:

• South: Westerly at 4–6 Beaufort
• Elsewhere: South-southwesterly at 3–5 Beaufort

Temperatures: Little to no change.

Friday (May 23) Forecast

Generally fair weather. Some clouds in northern mainland regions in the afternoon, possibly bringing local showers in the mountains. Reduced visibility in western regions during early morning hours.

Winds: West-southwesterly at 3–4 Beaufort, up to 5–6 in southern areas.

Temperatures: Slight increase.

Saturday (May 24) Forecast

Partly cloudy in central and northern Greece, with local showers or isolated afternoon thunderstorms over mountainous areas. Mostly clear skies in the south. Weather conditions will favor the transport of African dust.

Winds: Southerly at 3–5 Beaufort, reaching 6 in the western seas.

Temperatures: Slight further increase in the south.

Sunday (May 25) Forecast

Generally fair at first. From midday onward, unstable weather is expected to develop in the south and gradually across the country, bringing showers and sporadic thunderstorms in western and northern areas.

Winds: Southerly at 3–5 Beaufort, reaching 6–7 Beaufort in western and southern seas.

Temperatures: Slight further rise in central and especially southern Greece.