For another 24 hours, the western mainland is recording unusually high temperatures, according to meteorologist Clear Marousakis. As he said in a post on social media, “In Skala Messinia, the mercury reached 45 degrees Celsius, Amfilochia exceeded 44 degrees, while several areas were between 41 and 43 degrees Celsius.”

He pointed out that this picture has been explained in recent days, as he notes, “for several days we have been talking about the strengthening of melts within the Aegean which may cool areas of the mainland facing the Aegean, but ‘roast’ metaphorically and areas of the western mainland which are close to mountainous or semi-mountainous areas.”

Referring to a relevant map that he posted along with his text, he explains that “with the black curve we have put the geographical areas where the meltemi acts as a descender, while with the blue curve we have put the area where the meltemi tries to cool the areas where it affects.”

A typical example of the phenomenon is in Attica, where, as Mr Marousakis notes, “its eastern parts approach 34 to 36 degrees, while inland parts to the west of the prefecture we find temperatures close to 39 to 40 degrees.”

The meteorologist ended on an optimistic note, stressing that “patience one more 24 hours for the heavy weights to go away.”