The weather system "Chioni" arrived in Greece on Wednesday, bringing gale-force northerly winds reaching up to 9-10 on the Beaufort scale, as well as plunging temperatures with many parts of the country falling below zero.
According to the National Observatory of Athens weather service meteo, the lowest temperatures outside of ski resorts were recorded in Agios Pavlos in Imathia (-5.8C), Vlasti in Kozani (-5.6C), Kleisoura in Kastoria (-4.9C) and Pertouli in Trikala (-4.4C).
The low temperatures have been accompanied by rain and snow at higher altitudes, as well as storms in Egio and other coastal areas, especially in Thessaly, Eastern Central Greece, the Peloponnese and Aegean Sea.
The phenomena is expected to become more intense on the eastern mainland, Southeast Aegean and Crete this afternoon.
The rain is expected to continue until Thursday morning before gradually subsiding, but strong winds will continue to blow in the Aegean.
Ferry services departing from Piraeus were disrupted this morning due to the high winds. The passenger ferry "Dionysios Solomos" to the western Cyclades islands was cancelled and the Megara-Salamina ferry link was shut down.
Authorities have also shut down the ferry links Agia Marina- Nea Styra, Halkitsa-Edipsos, Kavala-Prinos and Alexandroupoli-Samothrace.
Ferry journeys on the Kyllini-Zakynthos and Kyllini-Kefallonia lines are taking place at the discretion of the captain.
Passengers planning to travel on Wednesday and Thursday are advised to contact local port authorities or their travel agent before setting out, in case of possible cancellations or modifications of scheduled departures.
Source: AMNA
