The weather has changed since yesterday afternoon due to a low-pressure system moving eastward, bringing heavy local rains and thunderstorms as well as strengthening winds, especially today.

According to the emergency bulletin issued by EMY yesterday:

On Saturday (21-12-2024), heavy rains and thunderstorms are expected in parts of the western Peloponnese, the southern Ionian Islands (Kefalonia-Zakynthos), central and eastern Macedonia, Thrace, the Eastern Aegean Islands (mainly the Samos-Ikaria area), the Dodecanese, and Crete (especially western and southern parts).

By Saturday afternoon, gale-force winds from the west (initially southwesterly, gradually shifting to northwesterly) will blow in western and southern Greece.

On Sunday (22-12-2024), the weather will improve nationwide, with wind intensity dropping below 5 Beaufort. However, a gradual deterioration in weather conditions is expected starting Monday (23-12-2024) from the northwest.

Today’s Weather

Rains and thunderstorms are anticipated, mainly in western, southwestern, and northeastern mainland areas, as well as in the Ionian, the Aegean, and Crete. The phenomena will be locally intense, particularly in Eastern Macedonia and the western sections of Thrace. Snowfall will occur mainly in the mountainous regions of central and northern Greece. After the afternoon, the phenomena will be limited to northeastern mainland areas, the mountains of the Peloponnese, the Aegean, and Crete, gradually weakening.

Temperatures will range from:

• Western Macedonia: -2°C to 4°C,
• The rest of Macedonia and Thrace: 3°C to 12°C,
• Thessaly: 3°C to 13°C,
• Epirus and Western Sterea: 0°C to 13°C,
• Other parts of Sterea: 2°C to 13°C,
• Peloponnese: 4°C to 14°C,
• Ionian Islands: 5°C to 11°C,
• Northern and Eastern Aegean Islands: 8°C to 16°C,
• Cyclades: 8°C to 16°C,
• Dodecanese: 13°C to 18°C,
• Crete: 12°C to 19°C.

Note: The lowest temperatures are expected towards the end of the day.

Winds in the Central and Northern Aegean will initially blow from the southwest at 4-6 Beaufort, locally reaching 7 Beaufort. By afternoon, they will shift to the northwest at 4-6 Beaufort. In the Southern Aegean, winds will blow from the west-southwest at 5-7 Beaufort, occasionally reaching 8 Beaufort during midday and afternoon. In the Central and Northern Ionian, winds will start from the west at 3-5 Beaufort, turning northwest at 5-7 Beaufort in the morning and weakening to 5-6 Beaufort by afternoon. Southern Ionian winds will initially blow west at 4-6 Beaufort, strengthening to 6-8 Beaufort in the morning but weakening to 5-6 Beaufort after the afternoon. Western winds of 6-8 Beaufort are expected in the Kythera Sea from morning until afternoon.

Weather in Athens

Clouds with light local rains are expected until afternoon, intensifying around midday and possibly turning into thunderstorms, mainly in the southern parts of the region. Winds will initially blow from the west-southwest at 2-4 Beaufort, turning northwest in the afternoon with the same intensity. Temperatures in central Athens will range from 9°C to 14°C, with the minimum expected late in the day.

Weather in Thessaloniki

Rain is expected until the afternoon, with a chance of thunderstorms until the morning. Winds will blow from the northwest at 3-5 Beaufort, weakening slightly to no more than 4 Beaufort in the afternoon. Temperatures in central Thessaloniki will range from 4°C to 9°C, with the minimum expected late in the day.

Sunday, 22-12-2024

Improved weather conditions are expected across the country, though there will still be light local rains in the west, the south, the eastern islands, and Thrace. Isolated thunderstorms will occur in southern coastal and maritime regions, mainly during the evening in Crete and the Dodecanese. Snow will fall in the northwestern mountains.

Winds will blow west-northwest at 3-5 Beaufort, strengthening over the seas overnight.

Temperatures will drop, reaching 8-10°C in northern areas, 13-15°C elsewhere, and 16-18°C in the Cyclades, Crete, and the Dodecanese. Frost is expected in northwestern mainland areas in the morning and evening.

Monday, 23-12-2024

Intermittent clouds with local rains are expected in the eastern and southern islands, while the rest of the country will see rain and scattered thunderstorms. These will initially affect the west and north before spreading to other areas. Intense phenomena are expected in the west and, from afternoon onwards, in some eastern areas. Snow will fall in central and northern mountain regions, with heavy snowfall possible in northwestern areas.

Winds will blow from the west-southwest, turning to the south-southwest in the Aegean at 4-6 Beaufort, strengthening to 7-8 Beaufort in the seas.

Temperatures will rise slightly, especially in maximum values, but frost is expected in northwestern mainland areas during morning and evening hours.

Tuesday, 24-12-2024 (Christmas Eve)

Cloudy skies with local rains and scattered thunderstorms are expected in the eastern and southern islands and the southern Ionian. Phenomena will weaken in the Ionian, mainland regions, and other areas by evening, eventually ceasing in the north. Snow will fall in mountainous mainland areas.

Winds will blow south-southwest at 5-7 Beaufort, reaching 8 Beaufort in the Aegean. In the west and north, winds will shift to west-northwest at 4-6 Beaufort and up to 7 Beaufort in the Ionian, gradually weakening by evening.

Temperatures will drop, especially in western and northern areas. Frost is expected in northwestern mainland regions during morning and evening hours.

Wednesday, 25-12-2024 (Christmas Day)

In northern regions, there will be occasional clouds with light local rains and mild snowfall in mountainous areas. Elsewhere, clouds with local rains and isolated thunderstorms are expected, particularly in southern coastal and maritime areas. Snow will fall in mountainous regions of the mainland, Crete, and Evia.

Winds will initially blow from the north-northwest at 3-5 Beaufort, strengthening to 6-7 Beaufort in the Aegean.

Temperatures will drop further, reaching only 8-10°C in central and northern regions and 14-16°C in southern areas. Frost is expected in northern mainland areas during morning and evening hours.