Entering the Christmas holiday season under volatile weather conditions, with rain, thunderstorms, and localized snowfall in the mountains expected to impact many areas from today through the second day of Christmas.

Yiannopoulos: This Christmas will feel more like autumn than winter

According to ERT meteorologist Panagiotis Yiannopoulos, Christmas this year will feel more autumnal than wintry. Rain is expected primarily on Christmas Eve, with less precipitation on Christmas Day. South winds and temperatures will correspond more to mid-November levels.

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday, December 23: Conditions will deteriorate from the afternoon, especially over the Ionian Sea. Thunderstorms, potentially strong in some areas, are expected in the evening, accompanied by showers spreading across the west. Southerly winds in the Ionian Sea will reach 6 to 7 Beaufort overnight. In the Aegean, north winds will blow at 3 to 5 Beaufort but will weaken as the day progresses. Temperatures will peak around 13°C in the north and up to 18°C in the south, 3 to 4 degrees above average for this time of year.

• Christmas Eve: Most of the country will experience heavy rainfall. Crete and the southern Cyclades are likely to be exceptions, with little to no rain. Local thunderstorms are expected in the Ionian Sea and, to a lesser extent, in the Aegean. More intense and longer-lasting showers will affect western and northern regions. Southerly winds will reach up to 6 Beaufort, while temperatures remain steady. Rainfall will also be present in Athens and Thessaloniki.

• Christmas Day (Thursday): Rain will continue in the morning in Central and Eastern Macedonia, Thrace, and the eastern Aegean, with potentially heavy downpours in Central Macedonia. Localized showers may occur elsewhere. Thunderstorms are forecast to develop over the Ionian Sea by evening. Winds will stay southerly, with temperatures around 17°C in Athens and 14°C in Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki will have a rainy day, while Athens is expected to see fewer weather disturbances than on Christmas Eve.

• Friday: The day will start with local rain mainly in Thessaly, Sporades, and Evia, but the showers will quickly clear, and the weather will improve.

The days following until Tuesday are expected to be clear, though temperatures will drop, bringing noticeable chills in the mornings and evenings.

Marousakis: Showers Wednesday and Thursday, first estimate for New Year’s weather

“The weather is gradually deteriorating from the west and so the weekend, Wednesday – Thursda,y will see several rains, storms locally strong mainly in marine – coastal areas, while dense snowfall will occur in the mountains (indicative altitude 1200 to 1400 meters and above),” says meteorologist Klearhos Marousakis in his forecast and continues: “On Friday, the weather will continue to be unstable, but the intense phenomena will be significantly reduced, while the prevailing north wind will begin to lower the temperature from north to south.”

Ziakopoulos: Bad Weather Approaching from the West

Meteorologist Dimitris Ziakopoulos, analyzing the holiday weather, stated:

“Today (Tuesday, 23/12), significant rain and local thunderstorms are expected in the evening and night hours across Western Greece, where southeast winds will prevail at 5 to 6 Beaufort.

Temperatures will reach up to 15°C in the north and 19°C in the south.

On Christmas Eve, showers and local thunderstorms will occur in Western Greece, Western Thessaly, and Central-Western Macedonia. Lesser intensity localized phenomena are expected across the rest of mainland Greece, as well as in the central and northern Aegean Sea. Winds will blow from the east-southeast at 4 to 6 Beaufort, with temperatures remaining steady.

Christmas Weather Breakdown:

• Central-Eastern Macedonia, Thrace, Northern and Eastern Aegean Islands, and the Dodecanese: Rain and local thunderstorms, mainly in coastal and sea areas.
• Western Greece: Showers and localized rain until dawn, followed by some improvement. From the evening onward, a new round of showers and local thunderstorms is expected.
• Rest of Mainland Greece: Brief local weather phenomena with extended periods of improved weather.
• Cyclades and Crete: Some local clouds with a chance of occasional showers in the Cyclades.

On Friday, 26/12, showers and local thunderstorms are expected initially in Western Greece, Central-Western Macedonia, Thessaly, and Eastern Sterea-Evia, mainly in coastal and sea areas. However, these will gradually retreat to areas upwind in the northeast current and weaken. Elsewhere, mostly cloudy skies with possibly brief local phenomena are forecast.

Regarding other key meteorological parameters for the weekend (24-26/12), snow will be limited to the mountains, winds are not expected to cause major issues for maritime transport, and temperatures will remain mostly stable.

The weekend of 27-28/12 will be dominated by weather influenced by a weakened north-northeast current, bringing low minimum temperatures across most regions.

*P.S. I know many want to hear about New Year’s weather, but even “Heracles” (a mythological figure symbolizing strength) is struggling to predict it!”

A Dull, Rainy Christmas with Little Snow

Meteorologist George Tsatrafillas sums up the forecast:

“We are heading into Christmas with several showers expected.

• Most rain from Tuesday to Thursday will fall in the west, northeast Aegean, and Dodecanese.
• Snow will fall mainly in mountainous regions and ski resorts.
• Temperatures will feel more winter-like.
• Weather conditions are expected to improve on Friday and throughout the weekend.
• Finally, 2025 looks colder with the possibility of surprise snowfall.

Below is the forecasted precipitation accumulation over the next three days and the weather for 10 popular Christmas destinations.