Aggravation will be presented by weather from Sunday (12-01-25) to Tuesday (14-01-25) in western, central and northern Greece with rain and storms, locally strong mainly in the west, according to Emergency Deterioration of Weather Bulletin (EDEK) issued today by National Meteorological Service (NMS).

“From tomorrow Sunday, but also on Monday, we will have worsening weather conditions according to the EMY. With heavy snowfall in Western Macedonia and possibly in central Macedonia, in eastern Macedonia and Thrace – in the northern parts of the region – in Western Thessaly and later in the mountains of the Peloponnese. But also with heavy rains and storms in the Ionian Islands and mainly in Corfu, as well as on the coasts of Epirus and Western Greece, in northern Evia, and possibly in the islands of the NE Aegean. And with strong winds of 8-9 Beaufort in the Aegean and 7-8 Beaufort in the Ionian,” said the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilias after the end of the meeting of the scientific Risk Assessment Committee.

Then followed an inter-ministerial meeting with the participation of representatives from the Security Forces, the Armed Forces, the Regions in which severe weather phenomena are expected, as well as the highway concessionaires.

“We advise everyone to be careful. First of all, anti-skid chains and snow tires where required and compliance with the instructions of the Traffic, the Greek Police and all the security forces”, stressed the minister and added that they will deploy their forces interoperably: “Civil Protection, the Fire Brigade Corps, the Greek Police, the Coast Guard, the Armed Forces, the two levels of local government of course, and the volunteers us. We recommend and ask our fellow citizens to be careful and follow the instructions of the Authorities”, he underlined.

What does the EMY’s Emergency Worsening Weather Report say

According to the Emergency Weather Deterioration Bulletin (EDEK) issued today by the National Meteorological Service (EMY), the weather will deteriorate from Sunday (12-01-25) to Tuesday (14-01-25) in the west, central and northern Greece with rains and storms, locally strong mainly in the west.

Snowfall will occur in the mountainous continental areas as well as in the semi-mountains of the central and northern country. In northern Greece from Sunday evening and Monday it will also snow in areas with a lower altitude.

The three-day temperature will drop in the central and northern regions by 9 to 10 degrees and in the rest by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius, returning to normal levels for the season. Northeasterly winds in the central and northern Aegean will reach 8 to 9 Beaufort. The intense phenomena on Tuesday (14-01-25) will gradually be limited to the south and will weaken.

In more detail:

ON SUNDAY 12-01-2025

a) RAIN – STORMS

Locally heavy rains and storms will occur initially in the northern Ionian and Epirus, gradually in western and central Macedonia, Thessaly (mainly in the east and north), the Sporades, northern Evia and from the afternoon temporarily in eastern Macedonia, the southern Ionian and the islands of the northern and eastern Aegean.

b) SNOW

In western Macedonia, particularly heavy snowfall will occur in mountainous-semi-mountainous areas from morning to noon and gradually in areas with lower altitude.

In central, eastern Macedonia and Thrace, snowfall will initially occur in the mountains, from noon in the semi-mountains and towards evening in areas with lower altitude.

In Epirus and Thessaly (especially the west) snow will fall from noon in the mountains and semi-mountains.

c) WINDS

Locally gusty northeasterly winds of 7 to 8 Beaufort will blow from midday in the northern Aegean.

d) TEMPERATURE

The temperature will gradually drop in northern Greece by 6 to 7 degrees Celsius and 3 to 4 degrees in the central country.

ON MONDAY 13-01-2025

a) RAIN – STORMS

Heavy rains and storms are initially predicted in the Ionian (mainly the south), the islands of the northern and eastern Aegean, the Peloponnese and gradually in Central Greece, Thessaly (mainly in the east), the Sporades and Evia.

b) SNOW

In Epirus, Macedonia, Thrace and Thessaly, heavy snowfall will occur locally in mountainous-semi-mountainous areas and in places it will also snow in areas with lower altitude.

In Central Greece and the Peloponnese, snowfall will occur in the mountains and semi-mountains.

c) WINDS

In the northern Aegean, stormy northeasterly winds of intensity 8 to 9 Beaufort will blow. In the Ionian Sea there will be stormy east southeast winds of intensity 7 to 8 Beaufort.

d) TEMPERATURE

The temperature will drop further in the center and north of the order of 3 to 4 degrees.

ON TUESDAY 14-01-2025

Snowfall in the north will gradually weaken and in the evening will be limited mainly to the highlands and semi-mountains of the central and southern mainland, while rainfall will be limited to the southern Ionian, the Peloponnese, the Cyclades and Crete.

The stormy winds in the Aegean of intensity 8 to 9 and in the Ionian 7 to 8 Beaufort will gradually weaken from the midday hours.

The temperature in the continental areas will remain at low levels and will not exceed 4 to 5 in the north and 09 to 10 degrees Celsius in the rest of the continental areas.

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.

Civil Protection recommendations to citizens in view of the worsening weather

Recommendations are addressed by the Civil Protection to the citizens in order 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 & 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.

At the same time, according to the Fire Service, the operational plans are being implemented to deal with the risks of floods and snowfalls as well as 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 with any problems immediately.

In particular, in areas where heavy rains, storms or gale-force winds are predicted, the Public Health Service recommends that citizens:

– To secure objects which, if carried away by severe weather conditions, may cause damage or injury.

-To 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 through 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

-To 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 instead of one heavy garment and wear appropriate shoes to avoid slippery injuries

-To avoid unnecessary movements during the peak of the phenomena (heavy snowfall, freezing conditions)

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