Recommendations to the citizens to be especially careful, taking care to take self-protection measures from risks arising from the occurrence of intense weather phenomena, the Civil Protection addresses again, on the occasion of the temporary worsening of the weather.

In particular, in areas where heavy rainfall, storms or gale-force winds are predicted, the general secretariat of Civil Protection recommends to citizens:

  • To secure objects which, if carried away by severe weather conditions, may cause damage or injury.
  • Make sure that the gutters and downspouts of the houses are not blocked and are working properly.
  • Avoid crossing torrents and streams, on foot or by vehicle, during storms and rainfall, but also for several hours after the end of their event
  • Avoid outdoor work and activities in marine and coastal areas during severe weather events (risk of lightning strikes).
  • Take shelter immediately during a hailstorm. Take shelter in a building or car and do not leave the safe area until they are sure the storm has passed. Hail can be very dangerous for animals too.
  • Avoid passing under large trees, under posted signs and in general from areas where light objects (eg pots, broken glass, etc.) can become detached and fall to the ground (eg under balconies).
  • To faithfully follow the instructions of the local authorities, such as Traffic, etc.

At the same time, the general secretariat of Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr) of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, has informed the competent government agencies involved in the service, as well as the regions and municipalities of the country, so that they are on increased civil protection readiness, in order to immediately deal with the effects of the occurrence of severe weather phenomena.

It is noted that according to the updated Emergency Weather Deterioration Bulletin (EDEK) issued today by the National Meteorological Service (EMS), the weather will deteriorate temporarily from today Saturday (06-01-2024) until the evening of Sunday (07-01) -2024) with heavy rains and storms and stormy southerly winds as main features.

More detail:

1) Today Saturday 06-01-2024 (Theophany)

a) Heavy rains and intermittent storms are forecast from late afternoon in the Ionian Islands, Epirus, western Sterea and western Peloponnese.

b) Stormy southerly winds of intensity 8 to 9 Beaufort will blow in the Ionian and from the afternoon 7 to 8 Beaufort in the Aegean, while at night in the eastern and northern Aegean they will strengthen in places to 9 Beaufort.

2) On Sunday (07-01-2024)

a) Heavy rains and storms will continue until the afternoon in western Greece (in Ionia, Epirus, western Sterea, western and possibly southern Peloponnese). In the evening the phenomena will weaken.

From early in the morning, heavy rains and storms at times will affect eastern Macedonia, Thrace and possibly the islands of the eastern Aegean in places with a recession from the afternoon.

b) In the seas there will be south-southwest winds of intensity 7 to 8 Beaufort and until the morning hours in the Ionian and the eastern and northern Aegean locally 9 Beaufort.

For information and announcements regarding the prevailing situation and the passability of the road network due to the inflow of flood waters, citizens can visit the EL.AS website. www.astynomia.gr.

For more information and self-protection instructions from severe weather, citizens can visit the website of the General Secretariat of Civil Protection at civilprotection.gov.gr.

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.