After a brief period of unfavorable weather on Saturday, June 21, temperatures are expected to rise significantly, reaching their peak on Thursday and Friday, with highs potentially exceeding 40°C.
Meteorologist Giorgos Tsatrafilias shared on social media that starting Wednesday, June 25, warm air masses from Africa will impact the country, leading to the first heatwave of the summer.
He noted that seven regions will experience particularly high temperatures.
These regions are:
- Thessaly
- Kilkis
- Serres
- Peloponnese
- Boeotia
- Aetolia-Acarnania
- Attica
Tsatrafilias’s Update
“An African heatwave will arrive in the country starting Wednesday…”
Good morning!
- Following a brief cool spell with rain and strong meltemi winds, warm air from the African coasts will move across the Mediterranean into our country, resulting in summer’s first heatwave conditions through Friday, June 27.
- From Saturday, temperatures will start to drop (temporarily), making the heat more manageable.
- The temperatures noted below are indicative and will be updated as necessary.
- Other areas in central and northern Greece will also experience elevated temperatures.”
Weather forecaster Clearchos Marousakis predicts temperatures near 39-41°C.
“The short duration of this heatwave (48 to 72 hours), combined with adequate nighttime cooling and prevailing meltemi winds, doesn’t classify it as a full heatwave, but rather a strong heat burst,” he emphasized in his post.
He also mentioned that a disturbance from central Europe will disperse the warm air masses, possibly leading to intense storms over the weekend.
Marousakis’s Detailed Update
FORECAST FOR THE COMING WEEK – HEAT OR HEATWAVE
After recent dangerous weather conditions caused by an atmospheric disturbance, the weather is starting to stabilize. The new week will begin with moderate heat and prevailing meltemi winds over the Aegean, although this also heightens fire risk.
RISING TEMPERATURES
Until Tuesday, the heat will be bearable across the country, but from Wednesday, temperatures will begin to rise, peaking on Thursday and Friday.
WEATHER ANALYSIS
Our initial map shows shifts in the atmospheric high-pressure ridge (anticyclone), which from midweek through Friday will direct its axis toward our region, allowing warmer air masses to flow in.
The map also marks “X” for other atmospheric disturbances and their expected paths.
By the end of the video forecast, we see the ridge attempting to extend northward again, potentially pushing a disturbance toward the country and bringing an end to the heatwave over the weekend.
TWO-DAY HEAT BURST
The highest temperatures are expected on Thursday and Friday, with inland areas possibly reaching between 39-41°C, as indicated on our second forecast map.
HIGH TEMPERATURE BUT NOT A HEATWAVE
While temperatures may soar in the late afternoon, nighttime cooling will occur, along with the continuation of meltemi winds over central and southern Aegean regions.
This brief heat burst (48 to 72 hours), along with nighttime cooling and the meltemi, signifies it’s not a full heatwave but a strong heat surge.
POTENTIAL STORMS OVER THE WEEKEND
The disturbance from central Europe will help disperse the warm air masses but may also cause heavy storms this weekend. More precise forecasts will be available in the coming days, with indicative maps following.
TODAY’S WEATHER
Expect sunny weather with a few clouds, particularly over mainland areas during warmer hours, with local showers or storms possible over the mountains of Epirus and western Central Greece. Visibility may be limited in western regions overnight and early morning.
Temperatures will range from 18 to 34°C in northern Greece (13 to 29°C in western Macedonia), 19 to 34°C in central and southern Greece, 19 to 32°C in western Greece, 20 to 30°C in the Cyclades and Crete, and 19 to 32°C in the eastern Aegean islands and the Dodecanese.
Winds will blow from the north in the Aegean at moderate speeds of 4-5 Beaufort and strong at 6 Beaufort in the southern Aegean, while in the Ionian, winds will be weak to nearly moderate at 4 Beaufort from the northwest.
MONDAY WEATHER IN ATTICA
Expect sunny conditions. Temperatures will range from 21 to 34°C, around 2-3°C cooler in northern and eastern regions. Winds will be weak from the north, moderately reaching 4 Beaufort in the east.
MONDAY WEATHER IN THESSALONIKI
Sunny weather is anticipated, with temperatures between 22 and 34°C. Winds will be weak and variable in Thermaikos Gulf.
TUESDAY, JUNE 24 WEATHER
Generally fair weather is expected nationwide. Winds from the north will be 3-5 Beaufort, locally reaching 6 Beaufort in the Aegean. Temperatures will rise, peaking at 34-35°C in western and northern mainland areas, the eastern Aegean, and southern Crete; and 36-37°C in the eastern mainland, with 30-33°C in other island regions.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, AND THURSDAY, JUNE 26 WEATHER
Overall, fair conditions will prevail. Expect temporary local cloud cover over mainland mountains at midday and in the afternoon. Winds will be from the north at 3-5 Beaufort, locally reaching 6 in the Aegean. Temperatures will continue to rise to unusually high levels for this time of year.
FRIDAY, JUNE 27 WEATHER
Generally fair, with local cloud development over the mainland at midday and afternoon, bringing potential showers or storms to central and northern mountains. Winds will remain from the north at 3-5 Beaufort, locally reaching 6 in the seas. Temperatures are expected to continue to be high for the season.
Ask me anything
Explore related questions
