The Risk Assessment Committee of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection held a meeting today at midday regarding the deterioration of the weather, which according to the EMY bulletin will manifest itself in two waves. The 1st wave will occur tomorrow Sunday 28/01 and the 2nd – which is estimated to be even stronger – from noon on Monday 29/01.

The Committee will meet at the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection again tomorrow at noon at 12:00 and at 13:00 iAn Inter-Ministerial Committee was established with the aim of operational coordination of all involved ministries and agencies.

The Committee meeting was attended by the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilias, the Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Evangelos Tournas, the Secretary General of Civil Protection Vassilis Papageorgiou, the Chief of the Fire Brigade, Lieutenant General Theodoros Vagias, the Commander of the Union Crisis Management Coordination Center (ESKEDIK), Lt. Gen. Dimitrios Briolas, and the members of the Risk Assessment Committee, Efthimios Lekkas (president of OASP), Theodoros Kolidas (Director of EMY), Konstantinos Lagouvardos (Director of Research of the National Observatory of Athens), Dimitrios Ziakopoulos (meteorologist). and Christina Souzi (meteorologist).

Civil Protection recommendations in view of worsening weather

At the same time, recommendations were addressed by the general secretariat of Civil Protection to citizens to be particularly careful, taking care to take self-protection measures against risks arising from the manifestation of intense weather phenomena.

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 face directly the effects of the occurrence of intense weather phenomena.

In addition, the operational plans are being implemented to deal with the risks of snowfall and floods and their accompanying phenomena, while the Fire Services of the areas where the phenomena are expected to occur have been placed in a state of increased readiness and further escalation if required, in order to deal immediately with any problems caused by the occurrence of severe weather phenomena.

In particular, in areas where heavy rains, storms or gale-force winds are expected to occur, the General Directorate of Civil Protection recommends that 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 areas where light objects (e.g. pots, broken glass, etc.) can become detached and fall to the ground (e.g. under balconies) .
  • To faithfully follow the instructions of the local authorities, such as Traffic, etc.

In areas where snowfall and frost are expected:

If they are going to travel by car:

  • To be informed about the weather and the condition of the road network
  • Have anti-skid chains on their vehicle and a full tank of fuel
  • To travel, if necessary, preferably during the day preferring the main roads
  • To inform their relatives about the route they are going to follow
  • Change their travel schedule to avoid peak weather conditions
  • To faithfully follow the instructions of the local authorities, such as Traffic, etc.

If moving on foot:

  • Dress in several layers of light clothing rather than a heavy garment and wear appropriate footwear to avoid slippery injuries
  • To avoid unnecessary movements during the peak of the phenomena (heavy snowfall, freezing conditions)

It is noted that according to Emergency Weather Deterioration Bulletin (EDEK) issued today by the National Meteorological Service (NMS), the weather will gradually worsen as two disturbances, the first on Sunday (28-01-24) and the second from noon on Monday (29-01-24) and Tuesday (30-01-24) will affect the country . More intense phenomena will be manifested by the second disorder.

The main features will be the noticeable drop in temperature during the three days of Sunday – Tuesday (of the order of 10 degrees Celsius) and the snowfall mainly in the eastern winds of the country from the height of Thessaly and further south.

At the same time, stormy north winds will prevail in the Aegean and strong rains and storms will occur mainly in the southern sea-coastal sections.

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.

For information and announcements regarding the prevailing situation and the passability of the road network due to the inflow of flood waters into it or due to snowfall and frost, 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