High temperatures and strengthening meltemi winds are raising the risk of wildfires breaking out and spreading rapidly to very high levels today in several parts of the country, according to protothema.gr meteorologist Giorgos Tsatrafilias.

At the same time, the first heatwave of this summer is expected to make its appearance in the coming days.

More specifically, today, Friday 17 July 2026, generally clear weather is expected. From midday onwards, brief local showers or thunderstorms will occur in mainland areas, particularly in eastern Macedonia and Thrace, mainly in mountainous regions.

The maximum temperature will reach 37 to 38°C in the western mainland, 37°C in the Dodecanese, and 34°C in Crete and the Ionian islands. Winds will blow from northerly and northwesterly directions. In the Ionian Sea, they will be light to moderate, while in the central and southeastern Aegean they will locally reach 7 to 8 Beaufort.

In Attica, sunny weather is forecast. Winds will blow from northerly directions, locally reaching up to 6 Beaufort, while temperatures will range from 22 to 35°C.

In Thessaloniki, brief local showers or thunderstorms are expected from midday onwards. Winds in the Thermaic Gulf will be light, and temperatures will reach 32°C.

Weather forecast for the coming days

On Saturday, temperatures will rise further, with the mercury reaching 39°C and, in very local areas, mainly in the western mainland, even 40°C.

Instability will become very limited, while winds will also weaken, reaching 5 to 6 Beaufort over the seas.

From Sunday until Tuesday, Greece will experience heatwave conditions. In areas particularly vulnerable to high temperatures, such as Thessaly, Phthiotis, Aetolia-Acarnania, Boeotia and Central Macedonia, the mercury will approach 41 to 42°C.

In Attica, temperatures will exceed 38°C on Sunday, while on Monday and Tuesday the mercury will locally approach even 40°C. Afterwards, however, a trend towards a significant drop in temperatures is emerging, which is expected to bring the heatwave conditions to an end.