A new wave of bad weather has been unfolding across the country over the past few hours. Intense phenomena have already made their appearance, especially in Western, Central, and Northern Greece, with the main characteristics being heavy snowfalls, storms, and gale-force winds.

Meanwhile, the state apparatus is on alert to address the problems caused by the severe weather, which, according to forecasts by the National Meteorological Service, is expected to subside by Tuesday.

According to the predictive data from meteo.gr/National Observatory of Athens, the bad weather will continue, with snowfalls expanding locally to even lower altitudes.

More specifically, today, Monday, January 13:

• Northern Greece: Sleet is expected in coastal areas, occasionally alternating with snowfall, while in the rest of the regions, snowfalls will occur periodically and will be locally dense.
• Rest of the country (except Crete and the Southern Cyclades): Rainfall will occur.
  • Thunderstorms are expected mainly in the Ionian Islands, Peloponnese, Central Greece, Evia, and the Eastern Aegean Islands, where the phenomena will be locally intense.
  • Snowfall will occur in mountainous areas of the mainland, in semi-mountainous parts of Epirus, Thessaly, Central and Northern Central Greece, as well as in plains of Western and Northern Thessaly.
  • In the Northern Aegean, northeast winds will blow with intensities of 7-8 Beaufort.
• Temperature Drop: A significant temperature drop will be felt across the country.

In Attica and the city of Athens, periods of rain or thunderstorms are expected, and locally, the phenomena might be intense.

In Thessaloniki, sleet is expected in coastal areas, occasionally alternating with snowfall, while snowfalls are expected periodically in other parts of the region. On Monday night and into early Tuesday, it may snow across all areas.

Forecast maps show estimated precipitation (blue shades), snowfalls (pink shades), and sleet (yellow shades) for intervals spanning Sunday, January 12 (11:00 PM – Monday, January 13, 2:00 AM), and Monday (8:00-11:00 AM, 11:00 AM-2:00 PM).

Where Traffic is Restricted

On Sunday, the Risk Assessment Scientific Committee convened under the Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilias, to evaluate new meteorological data. The Civil Protection’s proposed measures include the following:

• Traffic Ban on Heavy Vehicles until Monday at 2:00 PM:
  • a) On the Egnatia Odos, from Drososvori toll station to Polymylos toll station.
  • b) From the Kalambaka interchange of E65 to the provincial road towards Panagia (E06) and from Grevena (E015) towards the interchanges of Egnatia.
• Mandatory Use of Snow Chains throughout the road networks of Epirus, Western Macedonia, Central Macedonia, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, and Western Thessaly.

Snowfall in Thessaloniki, Western Macedonia, and Rodopi

Since approximately 10:00 AM on Sunday, snow began falling in the mountainous areas of Orestiada, Didymoteicho, and Soufli municipalities. Although it subsided briefly in some places, it resumed steadily at around 2:00 PM. The Civil Protection mechanism of the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace region is on standby, with de-icing and salt spreading taking place early in provincial roads, prioritizing the national network. No issues such as village isolation or blocked road sections have been reported so far. Snow clearing is being carried out by regional and municipal machinery.

In the municipality of Orestiada, snow has been falling since Sunday morning. In settlements like Trigono and Kyprinos, up to Kastanies, snow clearing and salt spreading were necessary. Mayor Diamantis Papadopoulos announced that all schools and nurseries in the Kyprinos and Trigono districts would remain closed on Monday, January 13. It is noted that snow is falling even in the city of New Orestiada, with roads remaining passable.

Didymoteicho Municipality: Snowfall has been ongoing since Sunday morning. In the city of castles, according to Mayor Romylos Hatzigiannoglou, the internal road network remains unaffected. However, in the settlements of the Metaxades district, snow-clearing and salting machinery have been operating since the morning.

Heavy snowfall is reported in the mountainous parts of the Soufli municipality. Local authorities have decided to keep kindergartens and primary schools closed on Monday in settlements such as Megalo Dereio, Roussa, Sidirochori, Agriani, and Sidiro.

In Thessaloniki, the first snowflakes appeared on Sunday in areas like Oreokastro, Chortiatis, Pefka, and even in the city center (with sleet and light snow), while the cold remains biting.

In Western Macedonia, snowfall has started in Florina, while Kastoria, Kozani, and Grevena are turning white. No issues have been observed so far. However, those traveling in Florina’s mountainous regions must equip their vehicles with snow chains and winter tires. Similar precautions apply to mountain passes in Kozani, Grevena, and Kastoria. Snow-clearing equipment remains operational.

Where Schools Will Remain Closed

Schools in the mountainous areas of the Municipality of Meteora will remain closed today, Monday, January 13, 2025, as per the decision of the Mayor of Meteora, Lefteris Avramopoulos, due to heavy snowfall and a significant drop in temperatures. Specifically, as announced, the primary schools in Chrysomilia, Ampelia, Oxynia, Agiofyllo, Asproklissia, and Panagia, as well as the secondary schools in Ampelia and Oxynia, will not operate.

The municipalities of Oraiokastro, Pavlos Melas, and Lagadas have also announced that schools at all levels will remain closed. The Municipality of Oraiokastro stated: “The decision was made with the safety of students in mind, following the Hellenic National Meteorological Service’s forecast of heavy snowfall.” Similarly, the Municipality of Lagadas emphasized: “The decision by Mayor Niki Andreadou was taken to protect the safety of students and teachers and to allow for necessary inspections of any potential damages to school facilities and courtyards.”

Meanwhile, schools of all levels will remain closed in the Municipality of Chalkidona in the municipal communities of Akropotamos, Prochoma, Vathylakko, Nea Mesimvria, and Xirochori due to adverse weather conditions. However, the rest of the schools in the municipality and the daycare centers will operate normally.

Schools will also remain closed in the Municipality of Volvi. Additionally, the Mayor of Kilkis, Dimitris Kyriakidis, has decided that all educational institutions in the Municipality of Kilkis (kindergartens, primary schools, junior high schools, high schools, as well as special education facilities such as the Special School of Kilkis, the Unified Special Vocational Junior High School – High School, the Workshop for Special Vocational Education and Training, and the Creative Activity Centers for People with Disabilities) will remain closed due to snowfall and worsening weather conditions.

In the Municipality of Arriana, by decision of Mayor Hussein Erdem, primary and secondary schools, including the Second Chance School, will remain closed today, January 13, due to snowfall and low temperatures in the area.

Cancellations of Thessaloniki KTEL Bus Routes

Due to the severe weather, Thessaloniki’s KTEL bus service is canceling scheduled routes to nearby areas within the region.

According to the announcement, in addition to some routes canceled yesterday, the following will not operate today:

• 6:15 a.m. Lagadas–Vertiskos
• 6:30 a.m. Lagadas–Sohos–Arethousa
• The first route from Sohos to Lagadas.

Significant Issues Caused by Snowfall

Yesterday, five buses were immobilized near Naousa, close to the 3-5 Pigadia ski resort. The fire department conducted an operation to rescue passengers and restore normal traffic flow.

Buses Stuck in the Snow at 3-5 Pigadia

Specifically, one bus got “stuck” on the road from the ski resort to Naousa due to heavy snow, causing a chain reaction where other buses following it were also immobilized. The fire department successfully transported 98 passengers from the first buses to the Naousa fire station. Once the first bus was moved, the situation was resolved.

Buses Stuck in the Snow at 3-5 Pigadia (Update)

At the same time, in Zagori, two cars without snow chains were immobilized, with a total of six passengers evacuated by the Police and Fire Department. Earlier, passengers from another vehicle in Kalambaka had also been safely evacuated.