People have been on the beaches since dawn, while those who are unfortunately working are adapting to the measures with telecommuting, reduced hours, or even leave from their work as the Kleon heatwave will boil Greece for the second day in a row, with the mercury reaching above 40 degrees Celsius.
Yesterday, 87 weather stations recorded maximum temperatures above 40 degrees, of which 14 recorded maximums above 42 degrees Celsius.
According to the automatic weather stations of the National Observatory of Athens / METEO, the maximum temperatures exceeded 40 degrees in many areas. The absolute maximum temperature was recorded in Thebes, 44.2 degrees Celsius. The average maximum temperature was 36.8.
In Attica, the maximum temperature reached 41 degrees Celsius, while the regions with the highest maximum temperature for yesterday were: Thebes - 44.2, Livadeia - 43, Lefkohori Fthiotida - 42.9, Sparta - 42.7, Stylida Fthiotida - 42.5, Mystras Laconia - 42.4, Larissa - 42.4 and Kalambaka - 42.4.
How the heat wave will develop
According to the latest update of the emergency bulletin of dangerous weather phenomena from the National Meteorological Service (EMY), it is pointed out that from Sunday until the middle of next week, the areas affected by high temperatures and the heat intensity will decrease.
At the same time, a temperature drop of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius is predicted, mainly in the east and the north.
However, the annual wind (Meltemi) will reach 6 to 7 Beaufort, which means an increased fire risk. Towards the end of next week, there is a tendency for the temperature to rise again, which is being monitored and its evolution will be better evaluated in the coming days.
According to METEO, sunshine is expected throughout the country today with relatively high concentrations of African dust. Heatwave conditions will prevail in many areas. The risk of occurrence and spread of forest fires will be increased and locally, very high.
The temperature will range in Western Macedonia from 16 to 36 degrees, in the rest of Northern Greece from 19 to 39-41 degrees, in Epirus from 23 to 39 degrees, in Thessaly from 23 to 40-42 and possibly locally 43 degrees, in the rest of the mainland from 25 up to 39-41 and locally 42-43 degrees.
The Ionian islands from 24 to 38-40, in the Aegean islands and Crete from 22 to 37-39 degrees, while in the Eastern Aegean islands and South Crete the maximum will reach 41-43 degrees Celsius.
The winds in the seas will blow from northwest directions with intensities up to 5 Beaufort, while in the North Aegean, northeast winds with the same powers will prevail. In Attica,, we are waiting for sunshine. African dust concentrations will be slightly increased.
Winds will blow from north directions with intensities of 2-4 Beaufort. The temperature will range from 31 to 40-42 degrees and possibly temporarily locally 43 degrees. In Thessaloniki we expect sunshine and intense heat.
African dust concentrations will be slightly increased. Winds will blow from south directions with intensities of 2-3 Beaufort. The temperature will range from 29 to 37 degrees.
According to scientists, Saturday night will be difficult nationwide because temperatures in the most significant urban centres may stay below 30 to 31 degrees Celsius, which happened yesterday.
The recommendations concern the mitigation of the accumulation of pollutants, as, based on the EMY forecast, unfavourable weather conditions for pollution and high temperatures have prevailed since yesterday, consequently favouringcontaminants the accu,f pollutants.
The recommendations of the Ministry of Environment and Energy to citizens, which started yesterday, are:
- Reduction in the use of vehicles cars and using public transport.
- As far as possible, avoid the circulation of liquid fuels, especially gasoline, except in the cases of supplying airports and ports.
- Vehicles should be refuelled as soon as possible after sunset.
- As far as possible, avoid the operation of units and businesses that emit organic volatile hydrocarbons (dry cleaners, metallurgical plants, paint shops, etc.) and using paints, mainly in the midday and early afternoon hours.
The Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens announced changes to the opening hours of the Acropolis due to the heat.
For today, Saturday 15 July 2023, the Archaeological Site of the Acropolis will suspend its operation during the noon hours, with the process use entry at 11:30 and the disorders process and at 17:30.
The areas of the Ancient Agora and the Kerameikos will remain in operation, where it is possible to visit the Archaeological Museums.
The parks of the Attica Region will be closed today, and all parks under the jurisdiction of the Attica Region will be closed today for precautionary reasons due to the weather forecasts for exceptionally high temperatures - risk level 4 - and a high risk of fire.
In particular, it is about Tritsi Park, Areos Field, Finopoulou Hill and Attiko Alsos. For the same reasons, the cultural events of the Region scheduled for tomorrow night at the theatre of the Attica Groves, "Katina Paxinos", are also postponed. The parks will be closed from 9 am for 24 hours.
For the operation of the Parks on Sunday, July 16, there will be an update with a new announcement from the Region after the latest meteorological data has been evaluated.
Trains hit the brakes. given
Due to the high temperatures, speeds are limited on the country's railway line for 24 hours.
The Athens public transportation authority points out that due to the high temperatures, in view of the safety of train traffic, "depending on the conditions, [there will be] speed restrictions, resulting in delays."
There was a similar update earlier from Hellenic Train: "Due to the high temperatures and with traffic safety in mind, speed restrictions may be imposed which may cause delays, mainly on the route Athens - Chalkida - Athens. We thank our passengers for their understanding. Safety is a priority."
Increased risk of fires
At the same time, the sweltering and dry conditions that already affect the most significant part of our country result in the prevalence of fire-meteorological conditions capable of making it difficult to control any forest fires that may occur.
Today, Saturday, the flammability of dead forest fuels is expected to be critically high.
Based on the analysis of available forecast data, the moisture content of dead forest fuels (flammability index) is expected to drop below 10% in several areas of the eastern mainland, remaining at these levels even during the night hours.
Under these conditions, the spread of the fire will be favoured even during the night, making difficult the task of managing and suppressing any forest fires, as in Naxos.
According to the Fire Risk Prediction Map issued by the General Secretariat of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection, a very high risk of fire (risk category 4) is predicted for the following areas:
- Region of Attica
- Region of Central Greece (PE Boeotia, PE Evia)
- Peloponnese Region (Corinth Region, Argolis Region)
- South Aegean Region (Rhodes Region)
- North Aegean Region (Chios Region, Samos Region, Ikaria Region)
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