Extreme cold front in Greece brings plenty of snow

Many parts of Greece were covered in snow in the early hours of the morning, including areas of the northern suburbs of Attica.

Police have announced the road above the "Zygos" restaurant on Parnitha Avenue and Kleisthenis road and Penteli Avenue in Penteli, from the junction with Anapafseos Road for Penteli-bound lanes, has been closed to traffic due to snow.

Authorities had earlier closed the road in the Kalopoula area on Mount Hymettus and the Penteli-Nea Makri road from Agios Petros up to the 414 Military Hospital in Penteli, in both directions, again due to snow.

With the new cold front 'Hephaestion' gripping Greece on Monday, most of the country experienced rain, sleet, snow, and icy temperatures, especially the eastern mainland.

Stormy conditions also prevailed at sea, with the National Observatory of Athens weather stations recording winds speeds reaching 161 km/hour in Paximada, Karystos and 147 km/hour south of Tinos on Monday morning.

Snow was falling in five prefectures of Central Greece, with snow chains or snow tyres needed in many parts of the road network. In Attica, the Penteli-Nea Makri road was closed due to the snow.

A sailing ban was imposed at the Attica ports of Piraeus, Rafina, and Lavrio due to winds reaching 11 Beaufort in the Aegean.

During the course of the day, snowfall is expected to gradually be confined to Attica, Viotia and Evia and the mountains of Crete. Strong rains will fall in the Aegean and especially Crete, where problems may occur.

The snowfall will gradually fade from noon today and will be limited to the south in the afternoon. The winds will reach 8 to 9 Beaufort in the Aegean and locally 9 to 10, which should subside substantially by Wednesday afternoon. The temperature in Greece over the next two days if forecast to be very low with strong frost.

*Images courtesy of INTIME Greece