A winter chill is set to grip Eastern Europe, with a cold front potentially bringing a "snowy surprise" to Greece. While the northern and northeastern parts of the continent will bear the brunt of the cold wave, intermittent icy air masses could drift southward, potentially leading to localized snowfall in Greece.
While a white Christmas is highly unusual, especially in Athens, the upcoming days will reveal if this year will be an exception. The last significant snowfall close to Christmas occurred on Boxing Day in 1991, during one of the snowiest Decembers in the Attica region. That month saw snowfall on eight different days.
Even in northern Greek cities, snowfall on Christmas Day is uncommon. Ioannina, for example, has not seen a white Christmas since 1986 despite its colder climate than southern Greece.
As the cold front approaches, meteorologists will continue to monitor its trajectory and intensity. While a full-blown winter wonderland is unlikely, some festive flurries in unexpected places are possible.