Civil Protection authorities are on heightened alert as severe weather continues today, Tuesday (October 27), bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms and possible hail. Conditions are expected to deteriorate further on October 28, Greece’s national holiday. The National Meteorological Service (EMY) has issued an Emergency Severe Weather Bulletin, with a red warning for several areas on Wednesday. Significant rainfall and disruption have already been recorded in Attica, while all schools on the island of Kos have been ordered to close.

The storm system, which has been affecting Greece since Sunday (October 25), has caused flooding, fallen trees and traffic disruption. According to the National Observatory of Athens, rainfall totals reached 133 millimeters in Amoni, near Sofiko, and 104 millimeters at Hasani Hill in Elliniko by Monday afternoon.

EMY has updated its Emergency Bulletin No. 8/2026, forecasting that the severe weather will mainly affect eastern Greece and continue at least through Wednesday.

Where strong thunderstorms are expected today, Tuesday

According to the latest update to EMY’s Emergency Severe Weather Bulletin, an orange warning is in effect today, Tuesday, October 27, for the following areas:

• Sporades and Evia: Until midday, with storms returning from the evening.
• Eastern Central Greece: Mainly Fthiotida and Boeotia, from late evening.
• Attica: Until the morning hours.
• Eastern Aegean islands: Temporarily, until the afternoon.
• Dodecanese: From late afternoon.
• Thessaly: Mainly Magnesia and Larissa, from the evening.

According to meteo.gr, rain and scattered thunderstorms are also expected in northeastern, eastern and southern mainland Greece, Halkidiki, the Aegean and Crete. Elsewhere, cloud cover will increase from midday, with a chance of localized rain, particularly in central and southern areas.

Snowfall is expected in the mountains of Thessaly during the evening, at elevations above 1,300–1,500 meters.

Red warning for October 28

The severe weather is expected to intensify on Wednesday (October 28), affecting areas where parades and events have been scheduled to mark Greece’s national anniversary.

According to EMY, a red warning is in effect for:

• Magnesia and Larissa: Heavy rain and thunderstorms until late at night.
• Sporades and Evia: Dangerous weather conditions until late evening.
• Dodecanese: Heavy rain and thunderstorms.

An orange warning is also in effect for the eastern Aegean islands until late at night; Fthiotida and Boeotia intermittently until late at night; and Attica until midday.

Local authorities will assess how conditions develop before deciding whether changes to parade schedules are necessary. The issuance of a meteorological warning does not automatically mean that events will be canceled.

Flooding, fallen trees and traffic problems in Attica

Monday’s rainfall caused significant problems across the greater Athens area. The Fire Service received approximately 20 calls to pump water out of ground-floor and basement properties in Alimos, Vari, Kallithea, Elliniko and the Municipality of Athens. In some cases, no intervention was ultimately required.

Authorities also recorded 15 calls concerning fallen trees. One incident occurred on Alexandras Avenue, near its junction with Charilaou Trikoupi Street, requiring the intervention of firefighters and a municipal crew.

On Poseidonos Avenue, near Amfitheas, accumulated water disrupted traffic heading toward Piraeus, forcing vehicles to use the left-hand lane.

Road subsidence was also reported in Cholargos, along with water accumulation at various locations across Attica.

These incidents are part of Monday’s report. The Fire Service remains on standby to deal with any further problems.

All schools closed on Kos

By decision of Kos Mayor Theodosis Nikitaras, all schools on the island will remain closed today, Tuesday, October 27, because of the expected deterioration in weather conditions.

The measure applies to all levels of education, including general and special education, preschools and childcare centers.

The municipality has urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and follow instructions issued by the relevant authorities.

As of the latest available update, no general school closures have been announced in other parts of Greece. Any additional decisions will be made by the relevant local authorities.

School celebrations scheduled for October 27 may also be affected wherever closures are ordered. Schools will inform parents and students of any changes to their programs.

On Wednesday (October 28), schools will be closed for the national public holiday. Whether parades go ahead will depend on decisions made by local authorities.

The Dodecanese and other areas under Red Code alert

Rhodes, along with the entire Dodecanese island group, has been placed under a Red Code civil-protection mobilization alert from Monday, October 26, through Thursday, October 29, because of the increased risk of flooding.

Similar readiness measures apply to Attica, the North Aegean, and the regional units of Evia, Fthiotida, Boeotia, the Sporades, Magnesia and Larissa.

The Municipality of Rhodes has urged residents and visitors to limit travel to essential journeys while severe weather persists, avoid areas where water has accumulated, and obey road closures.

Municipalities and regional authorities are on heightened alert, and plans for responding to flooding incidents have been activated.

A Red Code refers to the mobilization of the Civil Protection mechanism. It is not necessarily the same as a red meteorological warning issued by EMY.

Falling temperatures, strong winds, and the forecast for Athens and Thessaloniki

The severe weather is accompanied by temperatures below seasonal averages and winds reaching 7 Beaufort over the seas.

In the North Aegean, northerly winds of 5–7 Beaufort are expected, weakening to 4–6 Beaufort from midday. In the Central and South Aegean, initially variable winds of 3–5 Beaufort will gradually turn northerly. In the Ionian Sea, northerly winds will strengthen from 3–5 to 5–7 Beaufort.

Expected temperatures:

• Western Macedonia: 4–13°C
• Rest of Macedonia and Thrace: 7–17°C
• Thessaly: 8–18°C
• Epirus: 6–18°C
• Central Greece and the Peloponnese: 10–20°C
• Ionian Islands: 10–19°C
• North and East Aegean: 11–17°C
• Cyclades: 10–19°C
• Dodecanese and Crete: 13–20°C

In Attica, cloudy skies and localized rain are expected until the morning, with the possibility of further rainfall in the evening. Northerly winds of 3–5 Beaufort will weaken from the afternoon. Temperatures in central Athens will range from 13°C to 17°C.

In Thessaloniki, localized cloud cover is forecast from midday, with northwesterly winds of 2–4 Beaufort and occasional gusts reaching 5 Beaufort in western areas. Temperatures will range from 9°C to 16°C.

Civil Protection recommendations

The public is advised to monitor official EMY warnings and announcements from local authorities, particularly ahead of the expected deterioration on Wednesday.

Civil Protection recommends avoiding unnecessary travel during severe thunderstorms, keeping away from streams and torrents, and exercising particular caution on roads where water has accumulated.

Parents and teachers should check with municipalities and schools for any changes to school events. Anyone planning to attend the October 28 parades is advised to consult official announcements for possible schedule changes.