Sunshine with rising temperatures and winds up to 7 Beaufort

The Greek meteorological service has issued a detailed forecast indicating that temperatures will rise significantly over the coming days, particularly on Tuesday, with some areas experiencing extreme heat. This development comes amid ongoing changes in weather patterns, including shifts in wind direction and intensity, as well as localized rainfall expected later in the week. These conditions reflect broader climatic trends observed across parts of Europe, where prolonged periods of high temperatures have been recorded.

According to reports from the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY), Greece will experience a gradual increase in temperature starting from Monday, with peak readings reaching up to 37 to 38 degrees Celsius in much of the mainland. Localized areas such as the plains of Central Macedonia and the western regions could see temperatures climbing even higher, up to 39 degrees Celsius. In Attica, the forecast predicts a maximum of 37 degrees Celsius, which, while hot, does not meet the criteria for a heatwave during this season. The strongest summer winds that had been prevalent over the past few days are expected to subside, dropping to a level of 6 on the Beaufort scale. By Wednesday, the weather is anticipated to change again, with showers predicted in the northern parts of the country and the Peloponnese.

Monday's weather saw record highs in several locations, including Orestiada in the northeastern border region of Evros, where temperatures reached 37.7 degrees Celsius, followed by Olenia in Achaia and Dion in Pieria, both recording 37.4 degrees Celsius. These figures highlight the early onset of the warm spell, which appears to be more intense than previous years, though still less severe than the heatwaves experienced in Western Europe.

The upcoming days will bring varying conditions across different regions. On Tuesday, the weather remains generally sunny, although there are indications of slight cooling in the northern areas. For instance, the Cyclades, northern Crete, eastern Aegean islands, and the Dodecanese are expected to see temperatures drop slightly, ranging between 30 and 33 degrees Celsius, while the rest of the country maintains a range of 33 to 35 degrees Celsius, with some areas in the mainland possibly reaching up to 37 degrees. In Athens, the forecast indicates a mix of clear skies and occasional light clouds, with temperatures fluctuating between 24 and 34 degrees Celsius, especially in coastal areas where the maximums are slightly lower.

In Thessaloniki, similar conditions are expected, with light cloud cover and occasional rain in the late afternoon, leading to a temperature range of 20 to 34 degrees Celsius. In the regions of Macedonia and Thrace, the weather is also expected to remain mostly clear, with some light cloud formations in the afternoons, potentially leading to localised rainfall in mountainous areas. Temperatures here are projected to vary between 20 and 34 degrees Celsius, with some spots reaching up to 35 degrees.

Across the Ionian Islands, Epirus, western Sterea, and western Peloponnese, the weather is expected to stay largely sunny, with some light cloud cover in the afternoons, particularly in mountainous regions where isolated showers might occur. Winds are expected to blow from the north-west at speeds of 3 to 5 on the Beaufort scale, occasionally reaching up to 6 in the northern Ionian Sea. Temperatures in these areas are estimated to range from 21 to 33 degrees Celsius, with some parts of the mainland seeing temperatures as high as 34 to 35 degrees.

In the regions of Thessaly, eastern Sterea, Euboea, and eastern Peloponnese, the weather is expected to remain clear, with some light cloud cover in the afternoons, especially in the mountainous areas of Thessaly and eastern Sterea, where isolated showers might occur. Wind conditions are expected to be variable, with speeds ranging from 3 to 4 on the Beaufort scale, increasing to 4 to 5 in the southern and eastern directions. Temperatures in these areas are expected to range from 21 to 36 degrees Celsius, with some spots reaching up to 37 degrees.

In the Cyclades and Crete, the weather is expected to remain clear, with some light cloud cover in the afternoons, particularly in the mountainous areas of Crete where isolated showers might occur. Winds are expected to blow from the north-west at speeds of 4 to 5, with some areas in Crete experiencing winds up to 6 on the Beaufort scale. Temperatures in these regions are expected to range from 23 to 31 degrees Celsius, with some parts of northern Crete reaching up to 32 to 33 degrees.

In the eastern Aegean islands and the Dodecanese, the weather is expected to remain clear, with winds blowing from the north-west at speeds of 4 to 6 on the Beaufort scale. Temperatures in these areas are expected to range from 23 to 33 degrees Celsius.

These weather developments are part of a larger pattern of climate variability affecting the Mediterranean region, with increased frequency of extreme weather events. While Greece is not currently facing the same level of heat stress as Western Europe, the trend suggests that such conditions may become more common in the future. As the week progresses, the weather is expected to continue its current trajectory, with further fluctuations in temperature and precipitation, offering a complex picture of seasonal variation.