High temperatures are noted in many areas of the country today. The mercury reaches up to 44 degrees Celsius. However, tomorrow the north winds strengthen in the Aegean with 6 – 7 Beaufort and the temperature begins to drop.

In Thebes the temperature today has “hit” red with 43.5 degreeswhile above 42 degrees has reached Sparta, Mystras of Laconia, Lefkohori of Fthiotida, Taktikoupolis of Troizinia, Larissa and Polydroso of Phocis.

According to the updated Emergency Bulletin of Dangerous Weather Phenomena (EDEKF) issued today, Friday, July 14, 2023 by the National Meteorological Service (EMS), it is pointed out that from Sunday (16-07-2023) until the middle of the coming week it will be limited to geographical extent the areas that will be affected by high temperatures and the intensity of the heat will be reduced. At the same time, a temperature drop of 2 to 4 degrees Celsius is predicted, mainly in the east and the north. However, the annual wind (meltemi) will reach 6 to 7 Beaufort, which means that there is an increased risk of fire.

Towards the end of next week there is a tendency for the temperature to rise again, a phenomenon which is being monitored and its evolution will be better evaluated in the coming days.

More detail:

1. Her Friday (14-7-2023) 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 mainland 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 41 degrees Celsius.

2. The Saturday (15-7-2023) the high temperatures will subside a bit mainly in the north. The maximum temperature value will reach:

a. in the northern mainland 37 to 38 degrees and in central Macedonia and the interior of Epirus 39 degrees Celsius

b. in the rest of the mainland 39 to 40, in the interior of Sterea, Peloponnese and Thessaly 41 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 31 degrees and in the island country around 26 to 29 degrees Celsius.

3. Her Sunday (16-7-2023) a slight drop in temperature is predicted mainly in the north and east. More specifically, the maximum value of the temperature will reach:

a. in the northern continental regions 35 to 36 degrees, in central Macedonia and the interior of Epirus 37 degrees Celsius

b. in the rest of the mainland 38 to 39 and in Sterea and Thessaly 40 degrees Celsius

c. in the island country 34 to 36 and in the Ionian islands, the islands of the eastern Aegean, the Dodecanese and southern Crete 36 to 39 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperature values ​​will vary in places around 26 to 28 degrees Celsius.

4. The Monday (17-7-2023) the temperature will drop a little more in the east but will rise in the western continents. More specifically, the maximum value of the temperature will reach:

a. in the northern continental ones 35 to 36 degrees Celsius

b. in the rest of the continent 38 to 39 and in places in the west and Thessaly 40 degrees Celsius

c. in the island country 33 to 35 and in the Ionian islands, the islands of the eastern Aegean, the Dodecanese and southern Crete 36 to 38 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperature values ​​will be around 24 to 26 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.

Recommendations of Civil Protection – Self-protection instructions 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.

At the same time, the General Secretariat of Civil Protection recommends that citizens be particularly careful, taking measures to protect themselves from risks arising from the prevalence of high temperatures.

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 aerate 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.

We don’t forget the animals

At the same time, on hot days we don’t forget our four-legged friends.

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

https://diavgeia.gov.gr/doc/%CE%A8%CE%9C%CE%9F1465%CE%A6%CE%A5%CE%9F-%CE%9A%CE%9D%CE%94

In particular, issues concerning the prevention of thermal stress of workers are given in the following document of the Ministry of Labor & Social Affairs:

https://diavgeia.gov.gr/doc/6%CE%A1%CE%9B646%CE%9C%CE%A4%CE%9B%CE%9A-%CE%A16%CE%9F