The “Kleon” heat wave is in full swing in our country. According to meteorologists, today is expected to be the hottest day with the temperature even reaching them 44 degrees Celsius in Sterea and Thessaly.

Due to high temperatures, the emergency measures for Public and Private Sector workerswith work stoppages, protective measures and teleworking.

The ministerial decision on emergency measures also provides for the suspension of services from food distributors from 12 noon to 5 pm.

They are also postponed today’s appointments at EFKA12 noon to 5 in the afternoon, while the operation of the Mortgage Offices is suspended.

Open from 8 am to 8 pm, there will be 7 air-conditioned halls of the Municipality of Athens.

By decision of the General Directorate of Transport and Communications, driving license exams are postponedwhich were planned today, in all the Regional Units of Attica

Recommendations of the DG Civil Protection to the citizens regarding the heat wave

Recommendations to the citizens to be especially careful, taking care to take self-protection measures from risks arising from the prevalence of high temperatures, the general secretariat of Civil Protection addresses due to the heat wave with the name “Kleon” prevailing in the country. In areas where high temperatures are expected to prevail, the General Secretariat of Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr) draws attention to people belonging to vulnerable groups to be especially careful in the coming days, in order to avoid health problems, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which may be caused by the high temperatures that will prevail.

In particular, according to the guidelines for self-protection against high temperatures, citizens are advised to:

* Stay in cool and shady places away from overcrowding, use air conditioners or fans and avoid heavy physical work in places with high temperature, apnea and high humidity.

* Avoid sunbathing, as well as walking or running under the sun and wear a hat and sunglasses and light-colored clothing made of fabric that allows the skin to ventilate and facilitates the evaporation of sweat, avoiding synthetic fabrics.

* Consume light meals with fruits and vegetables, limiting fats and the amount of food.

* Drink plenty of water and fruit juices, avoiding alcoholic beverages.

Special care is recommended for babies and young children, as well as the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases to protect them from high temperatures.

The General Secretariat of Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr) of the Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection, has informed the competent government agencies involved, as well as the regions and municipalities of the country, so that they are on increased civil protection readiness, in order to directly face the effects of the prevalence of high temperatures.

For more information and instructions on self-protection from high temperatures, citizens can visit the website of the General Secretariat of Civil Protection at civilprotection.gov.gr and at document of the Ministry of Health

In particular, topics related to the prevention of thermal stress of workers are given in document of the Ministry of Labor & Social Affairs

According to the updated Emergency Bulletin of Dangerous Weather Phenomena (EDEKF) issued yesterday by the National Meteorological Service (EMY), it is pointed out that from Sunday (16-07-2023) onwards a drop in temperature is expected mainly in the east and the north. The heat, however, will be maintained until the middle of next week with prices on the mainland around 39 to 40 degrees Celsius.

Today’s forecast

Clear and warm weather today. A few temporary clouds in the midday and afternoon hours in the central and northern continental highlands. Winds will blow from north directions 3 to 4, in the seas locally 5 and in the Aegean 6 Beaufort.

High temperatures will peak.

The maximum temperature value will reach:

a. in the northern mainland 38 to 39 degrees and in central Macedonia and the interior of Epirus 40 to 42 degrees Celsius

b. in the rest of the continent 40 to 41, in the interior of Sterea 41 to 43 and in the interior of Thessaly 43 and possibly 44 degrees Celsius.

c. in the island country 35 to 36 and in the Ionian islands, the islands of the eastern Aegean, the Dodecanese and southern Crete 37 to 40 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperatures will vary in the mainland around 28 to 30 degrees and in the island country around 26 to 29 degrees Celsius.

MACEDONIA, THRACE

Weather: Generally clear. Partly cloudy at noon – afternoon in the mountains of eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
Winds: Variable 3 to 4 Beaufort and gusty in the midday and afternoon hours in maritime-coastal southerlies with the same intensity.
Temperature: From 24 to 38 to 39 and in central Macedonia up to 40 to 42 degrees Celsius.

IONIAN ISLANDS, EPIROS, WEST STEREA, WEST PELOPONNISOS

Weather: Generally clear. Partly cloudy in the afternoon – afternoon in the highlands of Epirus.
In the morning hours the visibility in the Ionian Sea will be locally limited.
Winds: West northwest 3 to 4 and in the Ionian 5 locally to 6 Beaufort.
Temperature: From 24 to 39 and in the mainland up to 40 to 41 and in places 42 degrees Celsius.

THESSALIA, EASTERN CONTINENTA, EASTERN PELOPONNISUS

Weather: Generally clear. Partly cloudy in the midday – afternoon in the highlands of Thessaly.
Winds: Variable direction 3 to 4 Beaufort.
Temperature: From 26 to 40 to 41 and in the interior of Sterea 42 to 43 and in the interior of Thessaly 43 and possibly up to 44 degrees Celsius in places.

CYCLADES, CRETE

Weather: Clear.
Winds: North northwest 4 to 6 Beaufort.
Temperature: From 26 to 36 and in southern Crete up to 37 to 39 and in places up to 40 degrees Celsius.

EAST AEGEAN ISLANDS – DODECANISE

Weather: Clear.
Winds: Northerly 3 to 5 and southerly local 6 Beaufort.
Temperature: From 26 to 37 to 40 degrees Celsius.

EUBOEA

Weather: Clear.
Winds: Variable 3 to 4 Beaufort.
Temperature: From 24 to 39 degrees Celsius.

ATTICA

Weather: Clear.
Winds: Variable 3 to 4 Beaufort and in the afternoon southerlies with the same intensity.
Temperature: From 26 to 40 to 41 degrees Celsius. At the seaside, the maximum will be 2 to 3 degrees lower.

THESSALONIKI

Weather: Generally clear.
Winds: Variable 3 Beaufort and gusty in the afternoon from south directions with the same intensity.
Temperature: From 24 to 40 degrees Celsius.

Citizens can be updated daily on the development of extraordinary weather phenomena in the regular weather reports of EMY and on the website of EMY at the online address www.emy.gr.