The state mechanism has been alerted by the further strengthening of gusty winds, with gusts currently reaching 100 km/h in Eastern Sterea, Southern Evia, Cyclades and locally in Southern Crete.

According to the coast guard, there is a ban on sailing from the port of Piraeus for the ships’ routes, while ships are leaving for Argosaronikos as normal.

There is also a ban on sailing from the port of Rafina to the Cyclades, the port of Lavrio to Kythnos and the ferry line Agia Marina-Nea Styra.

According to meteorologists, gusty winds, which will persist at least until Sunday, are expected to reach up to 9 Beaufort in the Aegean Sea, causing significant problems for shipping routes and August licensees who will travel this weekend, while the risk of fires is also increased.

Extreme fire danger in three regions

The Fire Risk Forecast Map of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection predicts a fire risk at the highest level in much of the territory for today (8/8).

Attica, Evia, Kythera, Peloponnese and other areas are entering a state of “red alert” (category 5), while in many other areas the risk remains extremely high (category 4). The authorities call on citizens to be increasingly vigilant, as the weather conditions – with high temperatures and strong winds – create an explosive mixture.

According to the Fire Risk Prediction Map issued by the General Secretariat of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr), for Friday, August 08, 2025, it is predicted:

Extreme fire risk – Alert status (risk category 5) for the following areas:

Region of Attica (including the island of Kythera)
Region of Central Greece (Regional Units of Boeotia, Euboea)
Region of Peloponnese (Regional Units of Argolis, Corinthia, Laconia)

Lykabettos closed

All services of the municipality of Athens were put on high alert due to the very high risk of fire due to the strong winds.

Also, the hill of Lycabettus is closed for any activity from midnight on Thursday – until further notice – based on the measures foreseen in alert situations, which are currently in force in Attica (Friday, August 8, Risk category 5).

Based on the Civil Protection Plan, alert teams have been formed by employees of the Cleaning and Greenery services, while water carriers are also on standby. The Municipal Police with continuous patrols and the use of drones, controls the hills and large green areas in the city center. Also, the department’s operations center will operate on a 24-hour basis to inform and assist the fire department, as well as other departments and municipalities.

Finally, citizens are urged to be particularly careful, and at any sign of danger to contact the authorities.

In the early hours of Thursday morning, the Port Authority of Naxos was informed that the passenger ferry “TERA JET 2”, flagged in Cyprus, will not approach the port of Herakleia due to strong winds and adverse weather conditions in the area.

The ship was operating a scheduled route from Piraeus to Paros – Naxos – Koufonissi – Schinoussa – Herakleia – Naxos – Paros – Piraeus. Passengers bound for Herakleia, as well as those who were waiting on the island to board, will be forwarded to their destinations at the company’s discretion.

At noon, the Port Authority of Serifos was informed by the Master of the passenger-carrier-tanker “CAT I”, flagged in Cyprus, that the approach of the vessel to the port of Serifos is considered unsafe due to the severe weather conditions.

The ship was on a scheduled itinerary from Lavrio to Kythnos – Serifos – Sifnos. Eventually, it bypassed Serifos and continued to Sifnos. There were 69 passengers, 19 cars and 1 two-wheeler waiting to disembark on board, while 18 passengers and 3 cars were waiting to embark for Sifnos at the port of Serifos.

Later, the same ship “CAT I”, returning from Sifnos to Kythnos – Lavrio, again encountered difficulties in approaching Serifos due to the same weather conditions. The ship was carrying 22 passengers and 4 cars, while 44 passengers, 11 cars and 1 motorcycle were waiting for embarkation at the port. All passengers and vehicles will also be serviced at the responsibility of the shipowner.

Immobilisation of the “Superjet” in Paros

The high-speed passenger ship “Superjet” remained grounded in the port of Paros on Thursday, due to adverse weather conditions in the area, and did not sail to Mykonos as its itinerary had stipulated.

The ship was to have carried 74 passengers, who, according to the relevant information from the Port Authority and the ship’s owner, will eventually be forwarded to their destination through a modification of the “Superrunner Jet’s” itinerary.

The deviation of the itinerary was deemed necessary for the safe movement of the passengers, as strong winds did not allow the safe departure of the Superjet.

The port authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, while the shipowners are immediately informing passengers of the modifications and alternative travel arrangements.

Deteriorating pyrometeorological conditions in the east in the coming days

Northern winds have significantly strengthened in the Aegean Sea and eastern continental areas since yesterday 07/08 and are expected to continue until at least Sunday 10/08, significantly worsening the pyrometeorological conditions.

Specifically, according to the forecast data of the National Observatory of Athens / Meteo.gr, wind gusts during the midday hours of Thursday 07/08 in Eastern Central Greece reached 80 km/h, while in Southern Evia, Cyclades and Southern Crete locally they will reach 90 km/h.

According to the available forecast data, on Friday 08/08 further strengthening of the northerly winds is expected, with gusts in East Sterea, South Evia, Cyclades and locally in South Crete reaching 100 km/h, as clearly depicted in Map 1 below.

Map 1. Estimated maximum wind gusts (orange shades) and their directions (black arrows) for the midday hours of Friday 08/08, as calculated by the high-resolution numerical weather forecast model of the National Observatory of Athens / Meteo.gr.

It is noted that due to the strengthening of winds, pyrometeorological conditions will deteriorate significantly in the eastern parts, with main features:

Very high potential for wind-driven forest fires with potentially high heat loads in the east and south.

Significant increase in control difficulty if fires start in the east and south, especially in areas where there has been no rain in recent days.

The following group of maps shows the estimated control difficulty according to the Canadian Forest Fire Weather Index System (CFFWIS), adapted to the fire environment of Greece during Thursday 07/08 and Friday 08/08/2025.

Map Team. Estimated fire incident control difficulty for Thursday 07/08 (above) and Friday 08/08/2025, as calculated by the Canadian Meteorological Index System and adapted by the FLAME pyrometeorological team of the Meteo Unit of the National Observatory of Athens.

The weather today

Sunshine is forecast with a few clouds, increasing in Northern Crete and in the afternoon and evening in Macedonia and in the mountains of Epirus and Thessaly.

The temperature will range from 23 to 37 degrees in Northern Greece (17 to 32 degrees in Western Macedonia), 25 to 35 degrees in Central and Southern Greece (up to 37 degrees in Thessaly), 23 to 38 degrees in Western Greece, 25 to 32 degrees in the Cyclades and Crete, 25 to 39 degrees on the East Aegean islands and 21 to 37 degrees in the Dodecanese.

The winds will blow in the Aegean from the north from moderate to strong 5-6 Beaufort and locally in the Central Aegean and in the southern sea parts of Crete almost gale force 7 Beaufort, while in the Ionian Sea from variable directions weak and from the noon from northwestern directions occasionally moderate 4-5 Beaufort.

We expect sunshine on Friday in Attica. The temperature will range from 27 to 34 degrees Celsius, but in the north and east it will be 2-3 degrees lower. Winds will blow from the north moderate to strong 5-6 Beaufort and in the east almost gusty 7 Beaufort.

Sunshine with a few clouds, increasing in the afternoon and evening hours mainly in the mountains are expected on Friday in Thessaloniki. The temperature will range from 28 to 37 degrees Celsius. The winds in Thermaikos will blow from variable directions, light and in the morning hours from northwestern directions, occasionally almost moderate 4 Beaufort.

The weather on Saturday, August 9

Clear weather.

Winds will blow from the north, in the west 4 to 5 and in the Ionian Sea locally 6 Beaufort, in the east 6 to 7 and in the Aegean Sea locally 8 and in the Kythera Sea in the morning hours possibly 9 Beaufort.

and in some places in the north and in the south of the island in the northwestern part of the island in the northwestern part of the island in the southwestern part of the island in the north.
The temperature will not change significantly. It will reach 34 to 36 degrees Celsius and locally in the western mainland 37 to 38 degrees Celsius, while in the Cyclades, the Sporades and northern Crete it will not exceed 30 to 32 degrees Celsius.

The weather on Sunday, August 10

The weather will be clear.

Winds will blow from the north, 3 to 5 Beaufort in the west, 6 to 7 Beaufort in the east and in the Aegean Sea locally 8 Beaufort.

The temperature will rise slightly.

The weather will be mild, with a slight increase in temperature and a slight increase in wind speed.