Nearly 5,000 lightning strikes recorded since morning – Heavy rainfall in Crete and Rhodes

Since this morning, nearly 5,000 lightning strikes have been reported, with heavy rainfall affecting Crete and Rhodes.

On Friday, April 25, local rain and thunderstorms impacted large areas of the country, particularly Crete and Rhodes.

Data from the European meteorological satellite Meteosat-12 indicated that by 18:10 on April 25, approximately 5,000 lightning strikes (electrical discharges) had been documented, predominantly in Crete and Rhodes.

According to the National Observatory of Athens / meteo.gr, 2,619 lightning strikes impacted land, while 2,357 struck the sea.

Automated weather stations from the National Observatory recorded that the highest rainfall reached 79 mm at Lindos, Rhodes. Crete also experienced significant rainfall, with the highest being 61 mm at the Plakias weather station in Rethymno.

Weather Forecast for Saturday

For Saturday, local rain and thunderstorms are mainly expected during the warmest parts of the day across the mainland, with winds blowing at 4-5 Beaufort in the seas.

Specifically, on April 26, expect transient clouds to thicken, bringing local rain and thunderstorms, especially in the mainland during warm hours. There is also a chance of rain or thunderstorms in Crete and Rhodes, with storms in central and northern regions possibly accompanied by small hail.

Temperature forecasts are as follows: in Western Macedonia, from 7 to 18 degrees Celsius; in the rest of Macedonia and Thrace, from 5 to 25 degrees Celsius; in Thessaly, from 5 to 23 degrees Celsius; in Epirus, from 5 to 21 degrees Celsius; across the remaining mainland areas, from 7 to 23 degrees Celsius; in the Ionian Islands, from 9 to 20 degrees Celsius; and in the Aegean Islands and Crete, from 8 to 22 degrees Celsius.

In the Central and Northern Aegean, winds will come from various directions, reaching up to 2-3 Beaufort, while in the Southern Aegean, winds will generally blow from the west, reaching up to 4-5 Beaufort. In the Ionian Sea, winds will come from the west-northwest at up to 2-3 Beaufort, with localized stronger winds in the southern areas reaching up to 4 Beaufort.

In Attica, transient clouds with local rain and thunderstorms are expected, particularly during the warm hours. Winds will vary in direction, reaching up to 2-3 Beaufort. Temperatures are anticipated to range from 15 to 21-23 degrees Celsius.

In Thessaloniki, expect transient clouds with a possibility of local rain and thunderstorms. Winds will come from various directions, reaching up to 2 Beaufort, with temperatures forecasted between 15 to 21-22 degrees Celsius.