This year’s Christmas period is expected to be marked by unsettled and locally severe weather, as a low-pressure system moving in from the central Mediterranean is forecast to affect Greece from Tuesday, December 24, through Thursday, December 26. According to the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY) and meteorologists, the system will bring periods of rain, thunderstorms, strong winds, and snowfall in mountainous areas.

According to meteorologist Klearchos Marousakis, the deterioration in weather conditions will occur in two main phases.

• The first phase is expected from Tuesday evening until Wednesday afternoon, with the most intense phenomena affecting western Greece and, to a lesser extent, central and northern regions.
• The second phase will follow from Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon, impacting large parts of western, central and northern Greece, as well as the islands of the eastern Aegean.

On Christmas Day, weather conditions are expected to start with widespread rain and storms, particularly in western, central and northern regions. Gradually, the system will shift eastward, mainly affecting areas east of the Pindus mountain range and the Aegean. From the early hours of Friday, December 26, weather conditions are expected to improve across most parts of the country.

Strong and locally very strong winds are also expected throughout the period, alternating between southerly and northerly directions. However, based on current forecasts, a general ban on maritime travel is not anticipated.

A similar outlook is provided by meteorologist Giorgos Tsatrafyllias, who notes that Christmas will be characterized by overcast and rainy weather, with snowfall largely confined to mountainous areas and ski resorts. Most rainfall between Tuesday and Thursday is expected in western and northern Greece, the eastern Aegean and the Dodecanese islands, while temperatures will ease slightly toward more winter-like levels.

From Friday onward and into the weekend, weather conditions are expected to improve, offering more favorable conditions for post-holiday travel. As for New Year’s Day, forecasts indicate colder conditions compared to Christmas, although the intensity and extent of any weather phenomena remain uncertain and require further confirmation from forecast models.

In all cases, experts advise caution when traveling, particularly in areas experiencing heavy rainfall or strong winds, and recommend staying informed through official weather bulletins during the holiday period.

Recent Rainfall Observations

On Monday, December 22, rainfall was recorded in eastern mainland regions, with local thunderstorms in the Dodecanese. According to the National Observatory of Athens / Meteo.gr network, significant rainfall totals were observed in Mount Pelion and the Dodecanese, with the highest amount recorded in Rhodes at 64.4 mm by 17:00 local time.

Weather Forecast Highlights

Today
Cloud cover will be intermittently dense, with local rain in Thessaly, eastern Central Greece, the Sporades, Evia, Crete and possibly northeastern Peloponnese during the morning. Local thunderstorms are expected in the Dodecanese and the eastern Aegean. Rain will spread to the Ionian Sea, Epirus and western Macedonia later in the day, and to central Macedonia by evening. Visibility may be locally reduced in central and northern mainland areas, with frost possible in western Macedonia.

Tuesday

• Attica: Intermittent cloudiness with a chance of light rain in northern and mountainous areas in the morning. Temperatures from 11–15°C.
• Thessaloniki: Periods of increased cloud cover. Temperatures from 7–12°C.

Wednesday, December 24 (Christmas Eve)
Rain and scattered thunderstorms are expected in the Ionian Sea, western mainland Greece, and gradually western and central Macedonia and western Thessaly. Snowfall is expected in mountainous areas, mainly in Epirus and Macedonia.

Thursday, December 25 (Christmas Day)
Rain and thunderstorms, locally strong, are expected in central and eastern Macedonia, eastern Thessaly, and the northern and eastern Aegean. Light snowfall is expected in mountainous mainland areas during the evening.

Friday, December 26
Rain will persist in parts of eastern Thessaly, Evia, the Sporades and eastern Central Greece, locally heavy, before gradually weakening during the day. Temperatures will fall nationwide, with frost expected in northern mainland areas.

Saturday, December 27
Generally improved conditions with limited cloud cover. A slight rise in daytime temperatures is expected, though frost may persist in central and northern mainland regions during the morning hours.