By decision of the Regional Governor of Attica, Nikos Hardalias, and following extensive consultation with Civil Protection and the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY), all public and private Primary and Secondary Education schools in the Attica Basin will remain closed on Friday, December 5, due to the severe weather front “Byron.”

It is noted that night schools in the Attica Basin will remain closed today, Thursday, December 4.

According to the announcement by the Region, this decision was made primarily for the safety of the school community—both students and teaching staff—preventing risks that could arise from travel to and from school. Additionally, it was taken into account that many students, teachers, and parents may need to cross areas of Attica where problems caused by the bad weather remain significant.

Hardalias: We act with calmness, planning, and absolute priority for people
In his message to the citizens of Attica, Regional Governor Nikos Hardalias stated:
“Civil Protection has placed Attica on Red Alert ahead of the severe weather system Byron, which is developing into a high-intensity phenomenon. All meteorological models indicate that from 11 p.m. on Thursday through the early morning hours of Friday, we will experience extremely intense weather phenomena in the Attica Basin.

Taking these data into account, and in close cooperation with Civil Protection, the municipalities, and all relevant authorities, we reached the decision that all schools in Attica will remain closed tomorrow, Friday.

The safety of our children is a non-negotiable priority.

We know that the phenomena will not affect every area of the Attica Basin with the same intensity. But we must operate with the utmost precaution—preventing problems rather than reacting to them. Based on scientific data, not risk.

We understand that this decision may disrupt the daily plans of many families—but it is a responsible choice. And I want to thank in advance our teachers, parents, and students for their understanding. Our goal is to protect human lives, avoid unnecessary travel, and allow our services to operate smoothly if needed.

We are on the ground, in full operational readiness. Across Attica, teams, machinery, and Civil Protection forces of the Region are on alert. We are ready to assist wherever and whenever required, following the operational plan of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection.

We continue to monitor the evolution of the storm hour by hour. We act with calmness, planning, and absolute priority for people. And we will continue in the same way.”

It is emphasized that by order of the Regional Governor, since early Thursday morning, all heavy-duty machinery and the relevant personnel of the Region have been on 24-hour standby at predetermined locations across the Basin, ready to take immediate action if needed, supporting the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, which has overall responsibility for managing the severe weather.

Schools closed in other parts of Greece

According to decisions by local mayors, school closures have also been announced for tomorrow, Friday, December 5, in the following municipalities:

• Katerini: Schools of both educational levels in all municipal units (Katerini, Petra, Pieria, Paralia, Korinos, Elafina) will remain closed due to severe weather conditions. Night schools will also remain closed tonight and tomorrow evening. Municipal nurseries and childcare centers will not operate tomorrow.
• Rhodes: All schools in the Municipality of Rhodes will remain closed due to the severe weather expected to hit the area, with heavy rainfall and storms forecast. The decision aims to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and parents. All educational levels are included. Citizens are advised to avoid unnecessary travel during the storm and follow self-protection measures.
• Santorini: Due to strong winds, heavy rainfall, and circulation risks, the Municipality of Thira decided to suspend the operation of schools of all levels as a preventive safety measure for students, escorts, and teachers.
• Tilos: The Municipality informs parents, guardians, and students that all primary and secondary schools on the island will remain closed on Friday, December 5, 2025, due to expected highly dangerous weather conditions.
• Symi: Due to the intense weather phenomena forecast for the Dodecanese, the Municipality will close all schools on Friday, December 5, as a preventive measure to protect students and staff.
• Kastellorizo: Schools will remain closed due to severe weather expected to affect the island in the coming hours. On Friday, December 5, all primary and secondary schools will remain closed as a precaution for the safety of students and teachers.

It is also recalled that today schools remained closed in Hydra, the Municipality of Troizinia-Methana, and Kythera.

Intense weather conditions are forecast for Central Macedonia, Thessaly and the Sporades, Eastern Central Greece (Attica) and Evia, Eastern and Southern Peloponnese, the Cyclades, Crete, the Eastern Aegean islands, and the Dodecanese. A Red Warning for dangerous phenomena is in effect for Pieria, Imathia, Halkidiki, Thessaloniki, Thessaly, the Sporades, Evia, the Eastern Aegean islands, and the Dodecanese.