A temporary deterioration in the weather is expected today in northern and central Greece from the morning until late at night, with locally heavy rains and thunderstorms accompanied by localized hail and very strong winds, according to the emergency bulletin issued by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS).

Yesterday, the General Secretary of Civil Protection, Nikos Papaefstathiou, convened the Risk Assessment Committee due to the bad weather expected in northern and central Greece.

Specifically, heavy rains and thunderstorms will occur:

1. In central and eastern Macedonia from morning until late at night.
2. In western Macedonia and the mountainous/semi-mountainous areas of Epirus in the afternoon hours.
3. In Thrace from midday until night.
4. In the Sporades from morning until early afternoon.
5. In Thessaly from late morning until early evening.

Clearchos Marousakis in a post warned farmers due to the expected hailstorms.

*”In times of drought, even hail is welcome…

Farmers should be particularly careful tomorrow, as our forecasts show a 50% to 60% chance of hail, especially in areas of central and northern mainland Greece. This index clearly implies the occurrence of generally strong thunderstorms,”* said the OPEN meteorologist.

Drop in high temperatures on Wednesday, 30/07

According to the network of automatic weather stations of the National Observatory of Athens / meteo.gr, after a long period of high temperatures, maximum temperatures have dropped. The highest maximum temperatures on Wednesday, 30/07 were recorded mainly in eastern mainland Greece, where the temperature reached 36–37˚C, with the highest recorded at the Stylida, Fthiotida weather station at 37.2˚C.

The map below shows the distribution of maximum temperatures across the country and the eight stations with the highest maximums. Also, as shown in the histogram at the lower left, the country’s average maximum temperature was 31.3°C, and thus for the second consecutive day was below the climatic average for this period.

Civil Protection recommendations to citizens

The General Secretariat for Civil Protection (GSCP) urges citizens to be particularly cautious and take self-protection measures against the risks arising from severe weather phenomena.

The GSCP of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection has informed all relevant state services, as well as regional and municipal authorities, to be on heightened alert to immediately deal with the effects of the severe weather.

The operational plan for dealing with risks from floods and associated phenomena has been activated, while Fire Services in the areas expected to be affected have been placed on increased readiness and further escalation if required, to immediately address any problems.

In particular, in areas where heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, or gale-force winds are forecast, GSCP advises citizens:

• Secure objects that may be swept away by severe weather phenomena and cause damage or injury.
• Ensure that gutters and downspouts are not blocked and are functioning properly.
• Avoid crossing streams and rivers on foot or by vehicle during storms and rainfall, and for several hours after they end. Particular care is needed at points where roads cross streams without a bridge.
• Avoid outdoor work and activities in marine and coastal areas during severe weather (risk from lightning).
• Seek shelter immediately during hailstorms. Take refuge in a building or car and do not leave until you are sure the storm has passed. Hail can also be dangerous for animals.
• Avoid walking under large trees, suspended signs, and generally areas where lightweight objects (e.g., flowerpots, broken glass) could be dislodged and fall (e.g., under balconies).
• Strictly follow instructions from local authorities such as the Traffic Police.

In areas with intense lightning activity:

If you are at home:

• Do not hold electrical appliances or the telephone, as lightning can pass through the wiring. Unplug televisions from the antenna and the power supply.
• Avoid touching plumbing pipes (kitchen, bathroom) as they are good conductors of electricity.

If you are in a car:

• Pull over to the side of the road and away from trees that could fall on the vehicle.
• Stay inside and turn on hazard lights until the storm passes.
• Close windows and do not touch metal objects.
• Avoid flooded roads.

If you are outdoors:

• Take shelter in a building or car; otherwise, immediately crouch down without lying flat.
• Take cover under dense branches of low trees if you are in a forest.
• Never take shelter under a tall tree in an open area.
• Avoid low-lying areas because of flood risk.
• Do not stand near pylons, power lines, telephone lines, and fences.
• Stay away from metal objects (e.g., cars, bicycles, camping gear).
• Move away from rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water.
• If you are at sea, get out immediately.
• If you are isolated in a flat area and feel your hair stand on end (a sign lightning is imminent), crouch low with your head between your knees (to minimize your body surface area and contact with the ground) and discard any metal objects you have on you.

For information and announcements about road conditions due to floodwaters, citizens can visit the Hellenic Police website: www.astynomia.gr.

For more information and self-protection guidelines from severe weather phenomena, citizens can visit the GSCP website at civilprotection.gov.gr.

The weather today

Localized rain and thunderstorms are expected mainly in mainland areas and from the evening hours in parts of the Northern Aegean. Thunderstorms in central and northern regions may be accompanied by strong winds and small hail. Fair weather is expected in southern island regions, the Ionian, and parts of western and southern mainland Greece. In the evening, rain and thunderstorms are also expected in parts of the Northern Aegean.

Temperatures will range:

• Western Macedonia: 14–27°C
• Rest of Macedonia & Thrace: 15–33/35°C
• Thessaly: 15–32°C
• Epirus: 13–32°C
• Rest of Western Greece: 14–33°C
• Other mainland areas: 14–34°C
• Ionian Islands: 19–30°C
• Aegean Islands & Crete: 18–31/33°C

Winds in the Aegean and Ionian will generally blow from northwesterly directions at 4–5 Beaufort and locally up to 6 Beaufort.

In Attica, localized rain and thunderstorms are expected mainly during the warm hours of the day. Winds will generally blow from northwesterly directions at 2–3 Beaufort and possibly up to 4–5 Beaufort in the eastern part of the region. Temperatures will range from 26 to 33–34°C.

In Thessaloniki, rain and thunderstorms are expected. Winds will generally be northwesterly at 2–3 Beaufort. Temperatures will range from 23 to 28°C.

The weather on Friday, August 1

In central and eastern Macedonia, Thrace, and in the morning in the Sporades and Evia, clouds with localized rain and isolated thunderstorms are expected. Conditions will improve from the evening. In the rest of the country, generally fair weather is forecast, though in mainland areas and Crete in the afternoon, clouds will develop and localized showers or rain are expected mainly in mountainous areas.

Winds will blow from northern directions at 4–6 Beaufort and gradually in the Aegean locally up to 7 Beaufort.

Temperatures will not change significantly and will reach 31–33°C in most areas and locally 34–35°C in western mainland regions.

The weather on Saturday, August 2

In the Sporades and Evia, temporary clouds are expected in the morning with the possibility of localized rain, but generally fair weather will follow. In other areas, initially fair weather is forecast, but in mainland regions in the afternoon, clouds will develop, and localized showers and possibly isolated thunderstorms in northern mountainous regions are expected.

Winds will blow from north-northwest: in the west 3–5 Beaufort, in the east 4–6 Beaufort, and in the Aegean locally up to 7 Beaufort.

Temperatures will not change significantly.

The weather on Sunday, August 3

Generally fair weather is expected. In the afternoon in mainland regions, clouds will develop and localized showers may occur in mountainous areas.

Winds will blow from northern directions at 3–5 Beaufort and locally up to 6 Beaufort in the Aegean.

Temperatures will rise slightly.