Elena Brings Torrential Rain and Snow to Greece

A significant weather front, named Elena, has recently battered Greece, bringing with it a wave of intense cold, heavy rainfall, and snow to mountain areas.

In Athens and its southern suburbs, the heavy downpours led to severe damage and flooding at the Faliro Olympic Complex (SEF), impacting both the interior and exterior of the stadium.

While the storm's intensity is expected to subside by Friday, a new and potentially harsher winter weather system is moving in from the northeast.

On Thursday, regions stretching from Macedonia to Crete and Rhodes experienced heavy rainfall, with especially intense rain in Evia, Attica, and parts of central Greece, including Viotia and Hania in Crete.

Significant areas like Vilia in Attica recorded 152.2 mm of rain. In addition, mountainous areas faced snowstorms; Parnitha was blanketed in snow, as were the higher elevations of Mount Parnassus and the Kalavryta region, where strong winds created hazardous conditions.

Consequently, the Parnassus ski center was closed, and significant traffic congestion occurred on roads leading to Kalavryta.

Several ski resorts, including those in Pindos and Florina, also had to shut down temporarily due to strong winds.

Though most of Greece is expected to see a decrease in storm activity by Friday, parts of Crete will continue to experience heavy rainfall.

Strong northeasterly winds will remain over the Aegean and parts of central Greece throughout the weekend.

Regional Forecasts

Macedonia and Thrace:

• Weather: Increased cloud cover with rain, sleet, and snow in mountainous areas, locally heavy in the afternoon.
• Winds: 4-6 Beaufort in the west, 6-9 in the east, with temporary reductions.
• Temperatures: 2-8°C (lower by 3-4°C in western Macedonia).

Ionian Islands, Epirus, Western Mainland, Western Peloponnese:

• Weather: Scattered clouds with occasional rain in the morning. Snow in Epirus and western mainland highlands.
• Winds: Northeasterly, 4-6 Beaufort, easing by evening.
• Temperatures: 5-14°C (lower by 4-6°C in inland Epirus).

Eastern Mainland, Euboea, Eastern Peloponnese:

• Weather: Overcast with local rain. Snow in mountainous areas.
• Winds: Northeasterly, 6-8 Beaufort, temporarily 9 in some areas.
• Temperatures: 6-14°C.

Cyclades and Crete:

• Weather: Overcast with local rain and thunderstorms in the morning.
• Winds: Northerly, 5-8 Beaufort, with localized gusts up to 9 Beaufort.
• Temperatures: 8-15°C.

Aegean Islands and Dodecanese:

• Weather: Cloudy with rain, especially in the Dodecanese, accompanied by isolated thunderstorms. Sleet and local snow in northern islands overnight.
• Winds: Northerly, 7-10 Beaufort, temporarily easing in the afternoon.
• Temperatures: 9-15°C (lower by 2-3°C in the north).

Thessaly:

• Weather: Overcast with local rain and mountain snow.
• Winds: Northeasterly, 6-9 Beaufort, easing gradually.
• Temperatures: 3-13°C (lower inland).

Attica (Athens):

• Weather: Overcast with local rain.
• Winds: Northeasterly, 6-9 Beaufort, easing in the afternoon.
• Temperatures: 7-13°C.

Thessaloniki:

• Weather: Partly cloudy with temporary increases in cloud cover.
• Winds: Northerly, 4-6 Beaufort, easing by midday.
• Temperatures: 4-8°C.

Saturday’s Outlook:

EMY forecasts increased cloud cover in eastern Macedonia, Thrace, Halkidiki, eastern Thessaly, central and eastern mainland, eastern and southern Peloponnese, and the Aegean with localized rain or sleet. Snowfall is likely in highlands and semi-mountainous areas.

Frost is expected in mainland regions during the early morning and evening.

Temperatures will remain cold but above freezing in northern Greece (6-8°C), central and eastern mainland (9-11°C), Aegean (11-13°C,) and in western regions (up to 14°C).

Source: In.gr