The cold snap that gripped Greece in recent days is gradually easing, with rising temperatures, rain, and southerly winds dominating the weather this week.
According to Thodoris Kolydas, director of the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY), the wettest days will be Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. “The main trend for the coming week is a gradual increase in temperature. Southerly winds, reaching up to 6 Beaufort, will prevail, bringing significant rainfall mainly on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday,” he stated on social media platform X.
Record Low Temperatures in Thrace
Despite the approaching milder conditions, Sunday morning (February 23) saw extremely low temperatures in northern Greece. The lowest temperature was recorded in Vyrsini, Rhodope, at -9.9°C, followed closely by Orestiada (-9.6°C) and Didymoteicho (-9.0°C), according to the network of automatic weather stations from meteo.gr and the Athens National Observatory.
Monday’s Weather Forecast
While temperatures are set to rise, unsettled weather continues across much of Greece. The Ionian Sea, Peloponnese, and Central Macedonia will see increasing cloud cover and scattered showers, with heavier rainfall expected later in western Crete. The southern Ionian and western Peloponnese may experience sporadic thunderstorms.
Light snowfall is expected in mountainous areas of the mainland and Crete. In the early morning hours, some lower-altitude regions in Central and Eastern Macedonia may also see occasional snow flurries.
Winds in the southeastern Aegean will blow from the north at 5-6 Beaufort but will gradually weaken. In the rest of the country, east-southeasterly winds of 3-4 Beaufort will prevail, reaching 5-6 Beaufort in the southern Ionian.
Temperatures will rise slightly, with highs ranging from 10-14°C in western and southern regions, 6-9°C in Macedonia and Thrace, and 8-12°C elsewhere. Frost is expected in northern Greece during the morning and evening, locally severe in some areas.
Regional Weather Outlook
- Attica: Cloudy with southerly winds at 3-4 Beaufort. Temperatures between 3-11°C.
- Thessaloniki: Overcast with local showers and possible light snowfall in the mountains. Winds east-southeast at 3-4 Beaufort. Temperatures from 4-8°C.
- Macedonia & Thrace: Cloudy in Macedonia with local rain, occasional light snowfall at higher altitudes. Thrace will see partly cloudy skies. Temperatures from -8 to 9°C.
- Ionian Islands, Epirus & Western Greece: Possible thunderstorms in the southern Ionian and western Peloponnese, with some snowfall in the highlands. Winds from the south-southeast at 3-6 Beaufort. Temperatures between 3-14°C, colder in Epirus.
- Eastern Greece (Sterea, Euboea, Eastern Peloponnese): Cloudy with local showers, some snow in the eastern Peloponnese and Sterea’s mountains. Winds shifting from easterly to southerly at 3-4 Beaufort. Temperatures from -2 to 13°C.
- Cyclades & Crete: Increasing clouds with afternoon showers in western areas. Winds 3-5 Beaufort from the north, later shifting south. Temperatures between 4-13°C.
- Eastern Aegean & Dodecanese: Increasing cloud cover with a chance of rain in Kastellorizo. Winds 3-6 Beaufort, gradually weakening.
- Thessaly: Overcast with light rain and mountain snow. Winds east-southeast at 3-4 Beaufort. Temperatures from -2 to 11°C.
As the week progresses, Greeks can expect milder temperatures but should be prepared for periods of heavy rainfall and strong southerly winds.