A suffocating blanket of heat has descended upon Greece, as temperatures soar above 43 degrees Celsius (109.4 degrees Fahrenheit) on Thursday, June 13, 2024. Adding to the misery, a plume of Sahara dust and stifling humidity have created an oppressive atmosphere across vast swathes of the country.
The extreme heat has also sent wildfire risk skyrocketing, placing authorities on high alert, particularly in [mention specific regions].
In Athens, the city center resembles a ghost town, with the intense heat driving residents indoors. Many shops have shuttered their doors, leaving the streets eerily empty. Only a handful of tourists and locals tending to urgent errands brave the scorching temperatures.
The 5 regions in Greece with the highest temperatures, at 12 pm, were the following:
Kranidi 43.9 degrees Celsius
Plaora Heraklion 42.2 degrees Celsius
Voukolies Chania 43.3 degrees Celsius
Alikianos Chania 42.3 degrees Celsius
Gortyna Heraklion 42.6 degrees Celsius
Argolis twins 42.7 degrees Celsius
Chania Akrotiri 43.1 degrees Celsius
Agioi Pantes Chania 42.4 degrees Celsius
According to meteorologist of ANT1 TV, temperatures before 12 noon reached 40 degrees Celsius in several islands of the Cyclades group in the central Aegean Sea.
Highest Temperatures on June 12
The automated network of meteorological stations registered very high temperatures in Greece on Wednesday, June 12, during the heatwave expected to last to Friday.
According to the meteo.gr/National Observatory of Athens, the highest temperature was registered at Lefkochori in Fthiotida, Central Greece, at 43.2C (109.76F), followed by Sparta, with 43.1C (109.58F).
The average high temperature in Greece was 36.1C (96.98F), while 228 of 509 active weather stations registered temperatures over 37C (98.6F).
At 51 meteorological stations, temperatures rose above 40C (104F).
Forecast
The extreme temperatures are forecast to drop starting tomorrow, Friday, June 14, the last day of the heatwave.
Northern winds and a further drop in temperature are expected starting Saturday, June 15, 2024.
P.S. Put out bowls of fresh water for stray animals. Check on elderly relatives and neighbors.
