A sharp drop in temperatures and gusty winds are set to usher in a brief but intense winter spell across Greece this weekend, as a polar air mass sweeps through the region. The sudden cold snap is expected to lower temperatures by as much as 10 degrees Celsius and bring strong winds reaching up to 9 on the Beaufort scale.
Weather Overview
Today, Friday, November 22, temperatures in Attica will peak at a mild 23°C, but conditions will shift dramatically over the weekend. According to Thodoris Kolydas, director of the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY), rainfall expected throughout Friday will taper off by Saturday afternoon, paving the way for colder, drier air.
Meteorologist George Tsatrafillas described the shift as “impressive,” attributing it to the polar vortex’s position, which is allowing icy air masses from northern latitudes to descend into Greece.
Bitter Cold and Wind Gusts
By Sunday and Monday, major cities, including Athens, Thessaloniki, Larissa, Trikala, Chalkida, Ioannina, Patras, Nafplio, and Argos, will experience morning lows below 10°C. Strong winds will add to the chill, with gusts reaching speeds of 108 km/h, as recorded Thursday in Paximada Karystos, according to the National Observatory of Athens.
Rain and Wind Recap
The unsettled weather began earlier this week, with gusty winds intensifying on Thursday across the Aegean Sea and mainland Greece. Rainfall was concentrated mainly in western regions, with Theodoriana Arta recording the highest cumulative precipitation at 44 mm by Thursday afternoon.
Meteorologists advise residents to prepare for challenging conditions over the next 48 hours as Greece experiences this short but impactful cold spell.