Rain, thunderstorms, strong winds and mountain snowfall are affecting much of Greece on Wednesday, 28 October, as the country marks its national anniversary with commemorative events and military parades.

The most severe conditions are expected in Thessaly, the Sporades, Evia, eastern Central Greece, the Cyclades, the eastern Aegean islands and the Dodecanese, where rainfall and thunderstorms could be particularly intense.

Despite the unsettled weather, no weather-related problems had been reported in Thessaly during the early morning hours.

Snowfall has already been recorded at the ski resorts of Pertouli, near Trikala, and Chania on Mount Pelion. According to Civil Protection authorities, the storm is expected to reach its peak at approximately 2 pm, particularly in Magnesia and the Northern Sporades.

Student parades cancelled in Penteli, Marousi and Agios Dimitrios due to severe weather

Municipal authorities across Attica have cancelled Oxi Day student parades because of adverse weather conditions, although religious services and commemorative ceremonies will go ahead as planned.

The cancellations cover Penteli, Nea Penteli, Melissia, Marousi and Agios Dimitrios, with local authorities citing concerns over weather conditions and student safety.

Parades cancelled across the municipality of Penteli

The Municipality of Penteli has announced that student parades will not take place in Penteli, Nea Penteli or Melissia.

However, the traditional church services, memorial prayers and wreath-laying ceremonies will proceed as scheduled.

Flag-bearers and accompanying students have been instructed to attend their respective churches for the religious services, in accordance with the programme established by each municipal community.

The official commemorative addresses and small receptions for attendees will also take place as planned at designated indoor venues.

In Melissia, the events will be held at the Melissia Cultural Centre, while those in Nea Penteli will take place at the Nea Penteli Spiritual Centre in Polytechnic Heroes Square. In Penteli, the ceremonies will be hosted at the municipal building in the I. Kapodistrias Hall.

Marousi cancels student parade

In Marousi, the cancellation was communicated through an announcement by the 8th Gymnasium of Marousi.

According to the school, the municipality informed it through Deputy Mayor K. Sagris that the student parade would not take place because of the adverse weather conditions.

Only the religious component of the national anniversary celebrations will proceed.

Agios Dimitrios cancels parade over student safety concerns

The Municipality of Agios Dimitrios has also cancelled its student parade, citing the need to protect pupils amid the severe weather forecast for Attica.

The scheduled religious service at the Church of Agios Dimitrios will take place as normal.

Flag-bearers from each school have been instructed to attend the church at 10:00 am.

The cancellations affect the traditional student parades marking Greece’s national Oxi Day anniversary, while allowing the religious and commemorative elements of the celebrations to continue.

Where the heaviest rain and thunderstorms are expected

Cloudy skies and rainfall are forecast across most of the country, with scattered thunderstorms developing in eastern and southern areas.

The heaviest rainfall is expected in Thessaly, the Sporades, Evia, eastern Central Greece, the Cyclades, the eastern Aegean islands and the Dodecanese. In these areas, thunderstorms could become locally severe.

The Ionian Islands, eastern Macedonia and Thrace are expected to experience periods of increased cloud cover, with a chance of localised rain.

Snowfall is also forecast in mountainous areas of central and western Greece.

Strong winds and falling temperatures

Northerly winds are expected to reach force 4 to 6 on the Beaufort scale, strengthening locally to force 7 over the seas. Winds could reach force 8 in the northern Aegean.

In southeastern Greece, southerly winds of force 4 to 5 are forecast.

Temperatures are expected to fall, particularly in western and southern parts of the country. Maximum temperatures will generally range between 15°C and 18°C on the mainland and between 19°C and 22°C on the islands.

In Athens and the wider Attica region, temperatures will range from 12°C to 17°C, while Thessaloniki is expected to see temperatures between 9°C and 18°C.

Severe weather coincides with national anniversary celebrations

Weather conditions are expected to remain a major concern throughout the day, particularly in areas facing intense rainfall and thunderstorms.

The timing of the severe weather is especially significant as Greece holds its annual commemorative ceremonies and parades for the 28 October national anniversary.

Attention will focus particularly on Magnesia and the Northern Sporades, where the worst conditions are forecast for the early afternoon.