Today, we can expect showers (some may be muddy), gusty southeast winds in the Aegean, and significant concentrations of African dust in the southern regions. This change in weather comes from a system named INES by the Italian Meteorological Service, moving northeast from the Tunisian coast, which will impact our country until early Saturday morning (17/05/2025), as noted in the Emergency Weather Bulletin released by the National Weather Service.
The forecast is as follows:
A. Heavy rains and thunderstorms
1. From Thursday night (15-05-25) to Friday (16-05-25) over Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Ithaca, northwestern Peloponnese, western and central Sterea, and Thessaly.
2. On Friday (16-05-25), from mid-morning to evening in the northern Ionian Sea (Corfu, Diapontia Islands, Paxos, Lefkada), Epirus, western Central Greece, and western and central Macedonia.
3. From Friday afternoon (16-05-25) until Saturday morning (17-05-25) in eastern Macedonia, Thrace, and parts of the northeastern Aegean (Lemnos area).
B. Locally strong southeast winds (gusts of 8 to 9 Beaufort) on Friday (16-05-25) in the Aegean Sea and Crete, and until noon in the southern Ionian Sea and southern Peloponnese.
C. Conditions conducive to the transport of African dust in the southern regions (particularly in Crete, the Cyclades, Dodecanese, and southern Peloponnese).
The forecast map below illustrates the estimated cumulative rainfall expected by the end of Friday (16/05), including precipitation from Thursday night (15/05).
Winds in the South and East Aegean Sea will come from the southeast at an average of 7 Beaufort, with local gusts reaching 8 Beaufort. In the Ionian Sea, winds will initially blow east-southeast at 5-6 Beaufort, with gusts in the southern areas reaching 7 Beaufort. The following forecast maps display the estimated maximum wind gusts (in km/h) for Friday morning and afternoon, with gusts expected to locally exceed 90 km/h.
Meteorologist Giorgos Tsatrafillias cautions that the low-pressure system “INES,” lasting 48 hours, is likely to produce significant rainfall, especially in flood-prone areas of Aitoloakarnania, Epirus, the northern Ionian Sea, and central and western Macedonia. However, he notes that by Sunday, sunny weather will return with gradually rising temperatures.
Today’s Weather
Showers are anticipated in the Ionian Islands, the mainland, and portions of the Aegean. These weather conditions will gradually diminish in the western, central, and northern regions of the country, though some areas may experience localized heavy rainfall. Thunderstorms are mainly expected in the northwest, alongside the transport of African dust, particularly in southern Greece where very high dust concentrations are anticipated.
Temperatures will range from 9 to 15 degrees in Western Macedonia; 11 to 16-18 degrees in the rest of Macedonia and Thrace; 13 to 22-23 degrees in Thessaly; 13 to 24 degrees in Epirus; 14 to 25-27 degrees across the mainland; 15 to 24 degrees in the Ionian Islands; 14 to 24 degrees in the Aegean Islands; and 21 to 28 degrees in Crete, with Northern Crete reaching a maximum of 34-35 degrees Celsius.
In the North Aegean, winds will be southeast at 5-6 Beaufort, while the northern areas will have variable winds up to 5 Beaufort. In the rest of the Aegean Sea, southerly winds will dominate at 6-7 Beaufort, with gusts locally reaching 8 Beaufort, slightly easing in the evening. In the Ionian Sea, easterly winds of 4-6 Beaufort will initially prevail, with gusts of 7 Beaufort in southern waters, but this will decrease and shift to northwestern winds by afternoon.
In Attica, light localized mud showers are expected until morning, followed by scattered clouds. African dust concentrations will be elevated, with southeast winds of 4-5 Beaufort, locally reaching 6 Beaufort. In the afternoon, winds will shift to south-southwest and weaken. Temperatures will range from 17 to 25-26 degrees Celsius.
In Thessaloniki, intermittent showers are anticipated. Winds will be southeast at 4-5 Beaufort, turning to north-northwest in the afternoon with slight weakening. Temperatures will range from 14 to 18 degrees Celsius.
Weather Outlook for Saturday (17/05)
Cloudy conditions with localized showers and occasional thunderstorms are expected in the west, central, and northern mainland, as well as the islands in the northern and eastern Aegean. Eastern Macedonia, Thrace, and the islands in the northeastern Aegean may experience heavy rainfall until morning, with conditions improving rapidly thereafter. The rest of the country will see partly cloudy skies, with African dust anticipated in the south.
Winds in the western, central, and northwestern regions will be northwesterly at 4 to 6 Beaufort. In other areas, winds will initially blow south-southwest at 4 to 6 Beaufort, locally 7 Beaufort in the Aegean, gradually turning westerly with similar intensity.
Temperatures will decrease slightly in the west and south, ranging from 20 to 22 degrees Celsius in the north, 22 to 24 degrees in other regions, and locally reaching 25 degrees in the mainland.
Weather Outlook for Sunday (18/05)
The eastern Aegean islands may see a few clouds, increasing until the afternoon with localized showers. The rest of the country will be generally clear, though occasional clouds may present over the mainland during midday and afternoon, with potential for local rainfall in mountainous areas.
Winds will be from the west-northwest at 4 to 5 Beaufort, with southern areas experiencing winds of 6, and locally up to 7 Beaufort.
No significant changes in temperature are expected.
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