The rapid deterioration of the weather from the afternoon of Friday, February 20, with heavy rain and thunderstorms in Western Greece is overshadowing the Carnival three-day weekend, while authorities remain on heightened alert. Intense phenomena will continue until Saturday afternoon in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace and until Sunday in the islands of the eastern Aegean and the Dodecanese, with improved conditions expected on Clean Monday.

Problems in Attica and heavy rain in the west

In Attica, due to the severe weather, there was road subsidence and traffic was suspended on Naiadon Street from the height of Proteos Street in Palaio Faliro. At the same time, due to heavy rainfall, traffic was halted in both directions on Imerou Pefkou Street in the Pikermi area.

Significant rainfall totals were recorded mainly in western areas. According to the network of automatic weather stations of the National Observatory of Athens / Meteo.gr, as of 18:20 Greek time, the highest rainfall was recorded in Theodoriana, Arta, reaching 78.6 millimeters.

Where the phenomena will persist on Saturday

The severe weather will affect Central and Northern Greece, the Aegean islands and Crete in the coming hours, according to the emergency bulletin issued by the National Meteorological Service, which has released an “orange” warning.

ERT meteorologist Nikoleta Ziakopoulou stressed that from Saturday morning the intense phenomena will gradually weaken, however caution is required in Eastern Macedonia, Thrace, the Aegean and Crete.

For Saturday, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are expected mainly in the east, with greater intensity in Eastern Macedonia, Thrace and the northeastern Aegean islands. Rain is also forecast in Crete, while improved conditions are expected in areas such as Patras and Xanthi.

Northerly winds will locally reach 8 Beaufort in the northern Aegean, while temperatures will range from 10 to 17 degrees Celsius in the northern mainland and up to 18 degrees in the southern island regions.

Sunday with local rain – Frost in the north

On Carnival Sunday, rain is forecast mainly in the eastern and southern parts of the country, with isolated thunderstorms. From midday onward, the phenomena will gradually weaken, while temperatures will continue to drop, with frost in the morning hours mainly in the northern mainland.

Meteorologist Thodoris Kolydas stated that winds will show slight weakening; however, the weather front will continue to bring strong gusts and rainfall as it moves eastward.

As he noted, on Sunday local rain is expected in Thrace, the Sporades, Evia, Eastern Central Greece, the Peloponnese, the Cyclades and Crete, with winds up to 7 Beaufort in the south. Most carnival events are expected to take place without significant problems, with the exception of Crete where the phenomena will persist.

How we will celebrate Clean Monday

Clean Monday is forecast to be improved in most parts of the country. The weather will generally be clear, with a few local clouds in the east and south and possible light rain in Crete.

Winds will weaken to 3 to 5 Beaufort, while temperatures will rise mainly in the west and north. Conditions are expected to be favorable for kite flying and Clean Monday events.

Today’s weather

Cloudiness with rain and local thunderstorms is forecast in Eastern Macedonia, Thrace, the eastern Aegean islands, Crete and the Dodecanese, while hailstorms are likely in Crete, the Dodecanese and the eastern Aegean islands. In the rest of the country, unsettled weather is expected, with a few clouds temporarily increasing and local rain or scattered thunderstorms in the Ionian Sea and the remaining mainland areas. Snowfall is expected in the northern mountainous regions and in the evening hours in the semi-mountainous areas of Central and Eastern Macedonia, as well as in lower-altitude areas of Thrace.

Temperatures will range from 6 to 13 degrees in Northern Greece (in Western Macedonia from -2 to 10 degrees), 5 to 17 degrees in Central and Southern Greece, 6 to 14 degrees in Western Greece (in Epirus from 2 to 13 degrees), 9 to 16 degrees in the Cyclades and from 10 to 17 degrees in Crete, 10 to 14 degrees in the eastern Aegean islands and from 11 to 14 degrees in the Dodecanese.

Winds in the Aegean will be variable, light to nearly moderate at 3–4 Beaufort and in the southeastern Aegean moderate at 5 Beaufort, gradually turning northerly in the northern Aegean at moderate 5 Beaufort and locally strong at 6 Beaufort, while in the Ionian they will blow from the southeast, light at first, gradually turning northwesterly at moderate 5 Beaufort.

On Saturday in Attica, a few clouds at times increased, with local rain or a brief thunderstorm mainly during midday and afternoon hours, and locally limited visibility during the evening and morning hours are expected. Temperatures will range from 9 to 17 degrees Celsius, but in the northern parts they will be 2–3 degrees lower. Winds will be light and variable.

On Saturday in Thessaloniki, a few clouds at times denser and locally limited visibility during evening and morning hours are expected. Temperatures will range from 8 to 14 degrees Celsius. Winds in the Thermaic Gulf will blow from northwesterly directions, light to nearly moderate at 3–4 Beaufort and after the afternoon moderate to strong at 5–6 Beaufort.

Weather on Sunday 22-02-2026

In Thrace, the Sporades, Evia, eastern Central Greece, the Peloponnese, the Cyclades and Crete, increased cloudiness with local rain and isolated thunderstorms in Crete. From the afternoon in the north and by evening in central areas, the phenomena will cease. In the rest of the country, temporary cloudiness. Light snowfall will occur in the mainland mountains, the mountains of Crete and possibly in semi-mountainous areas of Thrace.

Winds will blow from northerly directions at 4 to 6 and locally in the seas up to 7 Beaufort.

Temperatures will fall slightly further. In the north they will not exceed 10 to 13 degrees, while in the rest of the country they will reach 14 to 16 and locally 17 degrees Celsius in the Dodecanese. Frost will occur in places in the northern mainland during the morning hours.

Weather on Clean Monday 23-02-2026

In Crete, temporarily increased cloudiness with light local rain. In the rest of the country, generally fair weather with temporary clouds in eastern Central Greece, Evia, the Sporades and the Cyclades.

Winds will blow from northerly directions at 3 to 5 and in the Aegean locally 6 to 7 Beaufort.

Temperatures will rise slightly, mainly in the west and north.