Greece is bracing for turbulent weather on Monday, with the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS) forecasting strong winds reaching up to 9 Beaufort and isolated thunderstorms, particularly in the Cyclades, Crete, and the Dodecanese.
The day will start with cloudy skies and scattered showers in regions including western and central Macedonia, Thessaly, Epirus, Evia, the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, and Crete. Isolated thunderstorms are expected to strike the Cyclades, Crete, and the Dodecanese, though conditions are forecast to improve gradually across most of the country by the afternoon, except in Crete and the Dodecanese, where stormy weather will persist.
Winds will be a major concern, blowing from eastern directions at 4 to 6 Beaufort in western Greece and from northern directions at 6 to 8 Beaufort in the east, reaching up to 9 Beaufort locally in the Aegean and eastern mainland. Temperatures will drop noticeably in central and northern Greece, ranging from 19°C to 20°C across most of the country, with highs of 23°C in the west and 21°C to 22°C in the Dodecanese and southern Crete.
Regional Weather Outlook
- Macedonia and Thrace: Cloudy with local showers in western and central Macedonia, possible afternoon showers in mountainous areas, and gradual improvement by evening. Eastern Macedonia and Thrace will enjoy mostly clear skies. Winds will blow from the northeast at 4 to 7 Beaufort, with temperatures between 10°C and 20°C, slightly cooler in western Macedonia.
- Ionian Islands, Epirus, Western Sterea, Western Peloponnese: Mostly clear with occasional clouds and possible showers in Epirus during the afternoon. Winds will be east-northeast at 4 to 6 Beaufort, potentially reaching 7 Beaufort in the Ionian by evening. Temperatures will range from 13°C to 23°C, cooler in inland Epirus.
- Eastern Sterea, Evia, Eastern Peloponnese: Partly cloudy with increased cloud cover in eastern Sterea and Evia, where local showers are possible until the afternoon. Winds will blow from the north-northeast at 6 to 9 Beaufort. Temperatures will range from 11°C to 19°C.
- Cyclades and Crete: Cloudy with local showers and isolated thunderstorms, particularly in Crete, where conditions will remain unsettled into the evening. Winds will blow from northern directions at 7 to 9 Beaufort. Temperatures will range from 14°C to 22°C, with southern Crete reaching the higher end.
- Eastern Aegean Islands and Dodecanese: Cloudy with showers and isolated thunderstorms in the Dodecanese and central-southern areas. Winds will vary, with northern areas seeing northeast winds at 7 to 9 Beaufort and southern areas experiencing northwest winds at 4 to 6 Beaufort. Temperatures will range from 15°C to 22°C, cooler in the north.
- Thessaly: Cloudy with occasional showers, improving by the afternoon. Winds will be east-northeast at 4 to 8 Beaufort. Temperatures will range from 11°C to 19°C.
- Attica: Partly cloudy with increased cloud cover until the afternoon. Winds will blow from northern directions at 5 to 9 Beaufort. Temperatures will range from 12°C to 19°C, slightly cooler in northern and eastern areas.
- Thessaloniki: Cloudy with local showers and possible afternoon showers in nearby mountainous areas, improving by evening. Winds will blow from eastern directions at 3 to 4 Beaufort. Temperatures will range from 11°C to 19°C.
Authorities are urging residents and visitors, especially in the Aegean and southern islands, to exercise caution due to the strong winds and potential for sudden storms. Stay updated with local weather reports as conditions may change rapidly.
(Source: HNMS)