Rain in many areas will continue through Saturday at least until the evening, but by Sunday it seems that the unstable weather conditions will come to an end, and the main feature of the weather at the beginning of the new week will be a gradual rise in temperature. The heat will become more intense starting Wednesday (June 4) and onward, with temperatures expected to reach around 32–35°C in the mainland, according to Alpha TV meteorologist Giorgos Tsatrafilias, who referred to an “African anticyclone” that will bring temperatures as high as 38°C.

Disagreement among meteorologists over the term “African anticyclone”

While meteorologists agree that next week the weather will change and temperatures will rise, there seems to be disagreement over the terminology used when communicating with the general public.

The latest disagreement was sparked by the use of the term “African anticyclone” by Alpha’s meteorologist Giorgos Tsatrafilias. Former director of the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY), Theodoros Kolydas, noted that “there is no such scientific term.”

Tsatrafilias’ Post

In his post about the upcoming weather change starting Sunday that “will bring 38s,” Alpha’s meteorologist stated that “the Ionian Sea will begin the week with distinctly summer-like conditions. This is due to anticyclonic conditions expected to prevail over the eastern Mediterranean, which will favor the transfer of heat from Africa.”

According to him, the most difficult days will be Wednesday to Friday, with temperatures in Central Macedonia, Thessaly, Boeotia, Phthiotis, and the Peloponnese reaching 37–38°C, while Athens and Thessaloniki will see 35–36°C.

Kolydas’ Response

Shortly afterward, meteorologist Theodoros Kolydas responded in his own post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the term “African anticyclone” is a “media expression used to refer to heat.”

According to the former EMY director, the phrase “has limited accuracy from a meteorological perspective. In scientific terminology, there is no specific term ‘African Anticyclone.’”

He explained: “In everyday usage, the term African Anticyclone refers to: An extensive system of high pressure originating from North Africa (e.g., the Sahara), accompanied by warm air masses, dry southerly winds, and African dust.”

Kolydas added that “today’s instability will affect many regions, though it will generally be more limited, as will Saturday’s weather, while from Sunday onward, it will subside.”

Regarding temperatures, Mr. Kolydas noted they will remain normal through Sunday, with a gradual increase toward mid-next week.

According to his estimate, “a first taste of summer is expected next week, with temperatures about 4°C above the seasonal average.”

Today’s weather

Initially, showers and thunderstorms are expected in Central Macedonia, Eastern Thessaly and Sterea, the Dodecanese and Crete. Gradually the phenomena will affect the rest of the country. There is a possibility of hail showers on the mainland from noon to the early evening hours. Towards the end of the day the phenomena will weaken significantly, with the exception of Central and Eastern Macedonia and possibly Crete.

The temperature in Western Macedonia will range from 10 to 21 degrees Celsius, in the rest of Macedonia and Thrace from 15 to 27, in Thessaly from 16 to 27, in Epirus from 14 to 29, in Central Greece from 15 to 26, in the Peloponnese from 13 to 28, in the Ionian islands from 15 to 26, in the North and East Aegean islands from 14 to 27, in the Cyclades from 17 to 23, in the Dodecanese from 16 to 21 and in Crete from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius.

Winds in the Aegean will blow from the north from 4 to 6 Beaufort. In the Ionian Sea the winds will blow from eastern directions 3 to 5 Beaufort and from the morning from northern directions of the same intensity.

In Attica, clouds are expected with the possibility of occasional rain, mainly in the north of the prefecture. Winds will blow from the north from 3 to 5 Beaufort. The temperature in the center of Athens will range from 16 to 26 degrees Celsius.

In the prefecture of Thessaloniki rain and possibly thunderstorms are expected at times. Winds will blow from variable directions up to 3 Beaufort. The temperature in the center of Thessaloniki will range from 17 to 26 degrees Celsius.

The weather on Sunday 01-06-2025

In Crete cloudy with local rain and isolated thunderstorms until noon. In the rest of the country a few clouds, partly increasing in the midday – afternoon hours on the mainland with local rain and mainly in the central and southern mountains isolated thunderstorms.

Winds in the west will be variable 3 to 4 Beaufort, while in the east will blow from the north 3 to 5 Beaufort and in the Aegean Sea locally 6 Beaufort.

The temperature will not change significantly and will reach 24 to 26 degrees Celsius in the Ionian Sea and most semi-peripheral areas, locally 27 to 28 degrees Celsius and 23 to 25 degrees Celsius in the eastern islands.

The weather on Monday 02-06-2025

Generally clear weather with occasional clouds in the midday – afternoon hours on the mainland where there will be local rainfall, mainly in the mountains.

Winds will blow west northwest 3 to 4 Beaufort and in the eastern Aegean Sea locally 5 to 6 Beaufort.

The temperature will rise slightly.

The weather on Tuesday 03-06-2025

Generally clear weather with a few local clouds in the midday – afternoon hours on the mainland, so it is possible that there will be local rain in the mountains of Epirus.

Winds will blow west northwest 3 to 4 and in the central and southern Aegean Sea locally 5 to 6 Beaufort.

The temperature will rise further.