The state apparatus is on standby, after informing the General Secretariat of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection, to the competent services involvedas 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 recalled that, according to the updated Emergency Deterioration of Weather Bulletin (EDEK) issued today Friday, December 15, 2023 by the National Meteorological Service (EMY), the rains and storms that are already occurring in the west and the north of the country are expected to intensify in the coming hours and expand to most areas.

At the same time, from the afternoon stormy northeast winds will prevail in the northeast country and mainly in the northern Aegean. Snow will fall in the mountains and semi-mountains, while on Saturday (16-12-2023) it will also snow in areas of northern Greece with low altitude.

The drop in temperature will be felt in the next few hours throughout northern Greece, while on Saturday the temperature will also drop in the central parts of the country by 6 to 8 degrees Celsius.

More detail:

A]Heavy rains and storms are forecast:

a) Today Friday (15-12-2023) in the western, central and northern mainland and from the afternoon in the central and northern Aegean.

b) From early Saturday morning (16-12-2023) there will be a recession of the phenomena in the west, but in the eastern country (mainly in the Sporades, Thessaly, Evia, the north-eastern Aegean and possibly Halkidiki) the phenomena will be maintained strongly until the afternoon.

c) After Saturday afternoon (16-12-2023) the strong effects will be limited to the eastern Aegean and the southern sea-coastal sections. In these areas, the effects will weaken overnight into Sunday.

B]Snowfalls, which will be heavy in places, will occur:

a) In the following hours of Friday (15-12-2023) in western Macedonia (and in the cities), the mountainous areas of the rest of Northern and Central Greece, while towards evening it will also snow in semi-mountainous areas of eastern Macedonia and Thrace (in areas with an altitude of 500 meters and above). On the night of Friday to Saturday, it will also snow in the mountainous areas of the Northeast Aegean islands.

b) On Saturday (16-12-2023) the snowfall will continue in the mountains, as well as in the semi-mountains of Central and Northern Greece, while in eastern Macedonia and Thrace it will also snow in low-altitude areas (from about 200m). A reduction in snowfall is expected in the evening hours.

C]Gusty northeast winds will blow:

a) Today Friday (15-12-2023) from the afternoon in northeastern Greece and mainly in the northern Aegean until 8 Beaufort.

b) On Saturday (16-12-2023) initially in the central and northern Aegean and from noon throughout the Aegean 8 and locally 9 Beaufort.

c) On Sunday (17-12-2023) the stormy north winds will be maintained in the central and southern Aegean at 8 Beaufort until noon, while a gradual weakening is expected from the afternoon onwards.

D]Frost will occur over the weekend in northern Greece, which locally on Sunday in the northwest will be strong.

It is noted that citizens can be updated daily on the development of extraordinary weather phenomena in EMY’s regular weather reports and on the website of EMY at the online address www.emy.gr., while regarding the prevailing condition of the road network due to inflow of flood waters or due to snowfall and frost, they can visit the EL.AS website. www.astynomia.gr.

INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE GPP

The General Secretariat of Civil Protection recommends that citizens be especially careful, ensuring that self-protection measures are taken against risks arising from the occurrence of severe weather phenomena.

In particular, in areas where heavy rainfall, storms or gale-force winds are expected to occur:

• 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 (eg pots, broken glass etc.) can become detached and fall to the ground (eg under from 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 skid chains and a full tank of fuel in their vehicle

• 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 instead of a heavy suit and wear appropriate shoes to avoid slippery injuries

• Avoid unnecessary movements during the peak of the phenomena (heavy snowfall, freezing conditions).