Authorities are on heightened alert, as a strong wave of severe weather has been affecting the country since last night and is expected to persist until the morning hours of Thursday, January 8, bringing heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and gale-force winds, mainly to western and northeastern Greece.

The Civil Protection Risk Assessment Committee convened again, following a call by the Secretary General for Civil Protection, Nikos Papaefstathiou. According to scientists, the phenomena will not only be intense but also prolonged, increasing the risk of flooding incidents.

In some areas, rain and thunderstorms may be accompanied by hailstorms, while winds will reach 8 to 9 Beaufort, especially in maritime areas.

High-risk areas – RED CODE

Heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms are expected in Epirus, the Northern Ionian Sea, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, as well as in Aetolia-Acarnania.

Regions and municipalities in Western Greece, Epirus and the Ionian Islands remain on heightened readiness under “RED CODE” status.

The National Coordination Center for Operations and Crisis Management (ESKEDIK) is in constant communication with first- and second-degree local authorities, as well as with all involved agencies, to ensure the immediate mobilization of civil protection mechanisms wherever necessary.

The Risk Assessment Committee will meet again if conditions so require.

Update of the HNMS Emergency Bulletin

The Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS) Emergency Bulletin for Hazardous Weather Phenomena has been updated without substantial changes. The phenomena will continue until the morning hours of Thursday, January 8, and will then gradually weaken, while temporary rainfall will also occur in other parts of the country, accompanied by strong westerly winds.

Closing

More specifically, locally heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast:

Today, Wednesday (07-01-26)
a. In the Ionian Islands (mainly the Corfu and Lefkada area)
b. In Epirus (mainly the regional units of Thesprotia, Preveza, Ioannina, Arta)
c. In western Central Greece (mainly the regional unit of Aetolia and Acarnania)
d. In western and southern Peloponnese from the evening hours (orange warning)
e. In Eastern Macedonia and Thrace (orange warning)

It is noted that in the Aegean Sea, southerly winds of 8 and locally 9 Beaufort will prevail.

On Thursday (08-01-26) the phenomena in the above areas are expected to continue until the morning hours and will gradually weaken.

It is also noted that during the day, rain and thunderstorms will affect the rest of the country as well, but with a temporary character. At the same time, very strong westerly winds will prevail.

Weather today

Initially, rain and thunderstorms are expected across the country, except for eastern Thessaly, Central Greece and the Peloponnese. From midday, the phenomena will intensify and affect the entire country. During the evening hours, rain and thunderstorms in western mainland areas and possibly in Thrace will be locally heavy. Dust concentrations in the atmosphere will be increased and mud rain will occur, mainly in the west, southwest and northeast.

Temperatures will range from 4 to 14 degrees Celsius in Western Macedonia, 10 to 17 in the rest of Macedonia and Thrace, 7 to 18 in Thessaly, 10 to 16 in Epirus, 9 to 20 in Central Greece and the Peloponnese, 14 to 18 in the Ionian Islands, 13 to 18 in the Northern and Eastern Aegean islands, 15 to 19 in the Cyclades, 14 to 17 in the Dodecanese, and 10 to 25 degrees Celsius in Crete.

Winds in the Aegean will blow from southerly directions at 5 to 7 Beaufort, but towards the end of the 24-hour period, in its eastern parts, they will locally reach 8 Beaufort. In the Ionian Sea, winds will initially blow from southerly directions at 4 to 6 Beaufort, but from the afternoon they will turn westerly at 5 to 7 Beaufort.

In Attica, cloudiness and weak, local rainfall are expected intermittently. Winds will blow from southerly directions at 3 to 5 Beaufort. Temperature in central Athens will range from 14 to 19 degrees Celsius.

In the Thessaloniki regional unit, cloudiness with rain and possibly thunderstorms is expected at times. Winds will initially blow from easterly to southerly directions at 2 to 4 Beaufort, but towards the end of the day they will turn southerly at 3 to 5 Beaufort. Temperature in central Thessaloniki will range from 14 to 18 degrees Celsius.

Weather on Thursday, January 8

In the Ionian Islands (mainly Corfu and Lefkada), Epirus (mainly the regional units of Thesprotia, Preveza, Ioannina and Arta), western Central Greece (mainly Aetolia and Acarnania), western and southern Peloponnese, as well as in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, locally heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected until the morning hours, with gradual weakening. In the eastern and southern Aegean, cloudiness with rain and isolated thunderstorms. In the rest of the country, temporarily increased cloudiness with local rain. Late at night, the phenomena will persist in eastern and southern parts of the country. Snowfall will occur in mountainous mainland areas and temporarily in parts of northwestern mainland Greece at lower altitudes.

Winds in the west will initially blow from westerly directions at 5 to 7 Beaufort and locally 8 Beaufort in the Ionian, turning from midday to northwesterly with the same intensity. In the east, winds will initially blow from southerly directions at 5 to 7 Beaufort and locally 8 Beaufort in the Aegean, turning from midday to westerly with the same intensity.

Temperatures will drop across the country, more noticeably in the west, central and northern regions. In western and northern mainland areas, temperatures will reach 10 to 13 degrees Celsius, while in the rest of the country around 14 degrees and locally 15 to 17 degrees Celsius in the Dodecanese. From the evening hours, frost will occur in northwestern mainland areas.

Weather on Friday, January 9

Initially, in the eastern and southern Aegean, increased cloudiness with local rain and isolated thunderstorms in the southeast. From midday, gradual improvement is expected. In western Greece, a few clouds that will gradually increase, with local rain from midday. In the rest of the country, generally fair weather with temporary local cloudiness.

Winds will blow from westerly to northwesterly directions at 5 to 7 Beaufort and locally 8 Beaufort over the seas, gradually weakening from the north, where from the afternoon they will turn southerly at 4 to 6 Beaufort.

Temperatures will drop further in eastern Greece. During the morning hours, localized frost will occur in central and northern mainland areas.

Weather on Saturday, January 10

In western Greece, cloudiness with rain and thunderstorms. In the rest of the country, a few clouds that will gradually increase, with local rain and thunderstorms mainly in central and northern mainland areas and the eastern and northern Aegean. Snowfall will occur in northwestern mountainous areas.

Winds will blow from westerly to southwesterly directions at 5 to 7 Beaufort and locally 8 Beaufort over the seas.

Temperatures will rise.

Weather on Sunday, January 11

In western Greece, cloudiness with rain and thunderstorms. In the rest of the country, temporarily increased cloudiness with local rain and thunderstorms mainly in central and northern mainland areas, as well as in the eastern and southern Aegean. Snowfall will occur in mountainous mainland areas.

Winds will blow from westerly directions at 5 to 6 Beaufort and locally 7 Beaufort over the southern seas, and from midday will turn northerly in the north with the same intensity.

Temperatures will drop from the north.