Heavy dust concentrations and extreme winds in Crete experienced the highest temperatures, strongest winds, and peak dust levels of all regions. According to the National Observatory of Athens / meteo.gr, wind gusts exceeded 100 km/h in Rethymno and Lasithi, with the strongest gust reaching 137 km/h in Finokalia, Lasithi. Airborne particle levels approached 1000 micrograms per cubic meter, marking this episode as one of the most significant dust transport events in recent years. A photo from Rethymno illustrates these high concentrations, including a table listing the eight strongest wind gusts recorded on Friday.

Air Quality Measurements The air quality station at Rethymno Town Hall recorded concentrations near 980 micrograms/m³ on Friday, while the station in Adeli reported levels approaching 984 micrograms/m³ — both indicating extremely high dust levels. Similar conditions were observed in Pyrgos and the wider Ilia region.

Photos from various locations: Rethymno, Pyrgos and Ilia, Kyparissia in Messinia, Patras, Volos. In all cases, the dust cloud severely reduced visibility and impacted air quality.

Weather Outlook for Saturday (according to EMY): In northern Greece (Eastern Macedonia, Thrace, and the Aegean islands), showers and thunderstorms, some intense in the north during the morning. Improvement expected in the evening. Mainland Greece will see few clouds with scattered showers mainly in the afternoon. Winds will blow from the west at 3-5 Beaufort, locally up to 6 on the seas. Temperatures are expected to slightly decrease in the south and rise slightly in the north, with maximum temperatures reaching 22-23°C in the north, 22-24°C elsewhere, and up to 25°C in mainland areas and Crete.

Regional Forecasts:

Macedonia & Thrace: Clouds with showers and thunderstorms, some strong in the morning; improving later. Winds from the west at 3-5 Bft. Temperatures between 11-22°C.

Ionian Islands, Epirus, Western Central Greece, Western Peloponnese: Partly cloudy with possible brief showers. Winds west-northwest at 3-4 Bft, locally up to 5 in the morning. Temperatures from 13-23°C.

Eastern Central Greece, Evia, Eastern Peloponnese: Similar conditions with scattered clouds and potential afternoon showers. Winds west-northwest 3-5 Bft, locally up to 6 in the south. Temperatures from 13-25°C.

Cyclades & Crete: Mostly clear, with some light rain possible in Crete. Winds west-southwest at 4-6 Bft. Temperatures from 15-25°C.

Eastern Aegean & Dodecanese: Cloudy with local showers and thunderstorms, especially in Lemnos in the morning. Gradual improvement in the afternoon. Winds south-southwest 5-6 Bft, shifting to west-southwest 3-5 Bft. Temperatures from 16-24°C, slightly cooler in the north.

Thessaly: Few clouds, possible afternoon showers. Winds west-northwest 3-5 Bft, easing later. Temperatures from 10-23°C.

Attica: Few clouds. Winds west-northwest 3-5 Bft. Temperatures from 12-24°C.

Thessaloniki: Occasional clouds, gradually clearing. Winds north-northwest 4-5 Bft, weakening. Temperatures from 13-22°C.