Snowfall and low temperatures, with very icy conditions, will continue into Wednesday, according to the latest meteorological data on Tuesday night.
The National Meteorological Service said that 'Barbara', as the weather front is called, is expected to continue into Wednesday afternoon, affecting in Attica the north, northeast, and northwest of the region, as well as the regions of Magnissia and East Thessaly on the mainland, including the Sporades Islands, Fthiotida, Viotia, and the island of Evia.
A meeting chaired by Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Christos Stylianides was held in the afternoon, which resulted in further directives for Wednesday.
They are summarized as follows, along with directives from other authorities like Attica Region:
- Public sector employees will come to work at 10:00 am in the above regions, including Evritania and all of Central Greece
- Retail stores in northern Attica and other regions will open at 11:00 am. Courier and delivery services will resume no earlier than 11:00 am (gas stations, pharmacies, and supermarkets are exempt)
- Open markets in Attica will operate as usual
- Primary and secondary schools will operate as usual unless conditions prevent so locally, in which case classes will be conducted online. In Filothei-Psychiko and Marathonas, all schools will be shut
- All cars in Attica must carry snow chains, snow tires, or anti-skid equipment
- In transportation, the Athens metro and suburban railroad operates as usual. Some urban buses may modify their routes. Athens-Thessaloniki (and return) trains are cancelled; please check with Hellenic Train.
Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator said it was on alert for power cuts due to the weather, and had placed over 150 people on call on Evia island, hard hit by snow, and in Attica it had over 800 staff on call with special machinery and power generators among others, in addition to crews to handle trees that may fall on power lines.
Attica Region head of metropolitan infrastructure Panagiotis Kariotis told ANA-MPA there are 117 heavy machines, of which 58 are large snow plows with blades and salt-scatterer and 22 smaller ones, along with cranes and 4x4 cars to help people trapped in cars on roads and for possible transport to hospitals
