The INES weather system is set to bring a combination of rain, dust, and strong winds, leading the National Meteorological Service (EMY) to issue an emergency bulletin and alerts from the Athens National Observatory.
Kostas Lagouvardos, a meteorologist and Research Director at the Athens Observatory, stated, “We are currently in the midst of a weather event that will impact our country from Thursday evening until Friday. This is primarily due to a low-pressure system moving in from Africa, affecting the western regions of Greece.”
He warned that “this system will produce heavy rainfall in various areas, particularly in the western, central, and northern parts, especially through Thursday night and Friday. Precaution is advisable, particularly in northwestern Macedonia and Thessaly.”
In addition, he noted that “eastern and southern areas, such as Crete, the Cyclades, and the Dodecanese, will see scattered clouds accompanied by strong southern winds. Gale-force winds, reaching 7 to 8 Beaufort, are expected from early Friday morning, with gusts potentially hitting 90 to 100 km/h. Therefore, strong southern winds will prevail for a 12-hour period on Friday, necessitating caution.”
The third factor of this approaching weather phenomenon is African dust. “This low-pressure system from Africa will bring a considerable amount of dust, resulting in high ground-level concentrations on Friday. However, as the southern winds diminish and switch to westerly directions on Saturday, the dust will rapidly clear from Greece,” he explained.
Emergency Bulletin from EMY
Per EMY’s special bulletin, intense rains and thunderstorms are expected:
- From Thursday night (15-05-25) to Friday morning (16-05-25), affecting the areas of Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Ithaca, northwestern Peloponnese, western and central Sterea, and Thessaly.
- On Friday (16-05-25), from early morning until evening, in the northern Ionian (including Corfu, Diapontia Islands, Paxos, Lefkada), Epirus, western Sterea, and western and central Macedonia.
- From Friday afternoon (16-05-25) until Saturday morning (17-05-25), in eastern Macedonia, Thrace, and the northeastern Aegean (Lemnos area).
Locally, southeastern winds of 8 to 9 Beaufort are anticipated on Friday in the Aegean Sea and Crete, as well as in the southern Ionian and Peloponnese until noon.
Meteorological conditions will further facilitate the movement of African dust towards southern Greece, particularly affecting Crete, the Cyclades, Dodecanese, and southern Peloponnese.
Expected Weather on Friday: Rain, Strong Southeast Winds, and High Dust Levels
As per forecast data from meteo.gr/Athens Observatory, on Friday, 16/05, rainfall (with localized downpours), strong southeast winds in the Aegean, and elevated dust levels are anticipated. Here are the details:
Rain will predominantly impact the western, central, and northern regions of Greece, with possible thunderstorms in the northwest. There will be considerable transport of African dust, especially in the southern parts. The accompanying forecast map illustrates the estimated cumulative rainfall until the end of Friday, including Thursday night’s precipitation.
Triple Weather Impact: Rain, Dust, and Strong Winds – Areas Requiring Caution
Winds in the southern and eastern Aegean will blow from the southeast at an average of 7 Beaufort, with gusts reaching up to 8 Beaufort. In the Ionian Sea, winds will be easterly to southeasterly at moderate speeds of 5-6 Beaufort, with localized areas reaching 7 Beaufort in the south until noon. Later, winds will shift to westerly and southwesterly at 6-7 Beaufort. The forecast maps depict the estimated maximum gusts (km/h) expected in the morning and midday/afternoon of Friday, with some areas experiencing gusts exceeding 90 km/h.
Detailed EMY Forecast for Friday
Attica
Weather: Overcast with localized rain and potential isolated thunderstorms, mainly in the morning.
Winds: Southeast 4-5 Beaufort, shifting to south-southwest 6-7 Beaufort by noon.
Temperature: 11°C to 23°C.
Thessaloniki
Weather: Overcast with rain and thunderstorms, some severe, starting in the morning.
Winds: Southeast 4-5 Beaufort, shifting to north-northwest in the afternoon, maintaining the same intensity.
Temperature: 11°C to 19°C.
Macedonia, Thrace
Weather: Overcast with rain and thunderstorms. Heavy rainfall expected in western and central Macedonia from morning to evening, and in eastern Macedonia and Thrace from afternoon.
Winds: Southeast 3-5 Beaufort, shifting to east-northeast 3-5 in the afternoon, turning to south 6-7 in Thrace overnight.
Temperature: 9°C to 20°C.
Ionian Islands, Epirus, Western Sterea, Western Peloponnese
Weather: Overcast with rain and thunderstorms, some heavy in Kefalonia, Zakynthos, Ithaca, northwestern Peloponnese, and western Sterea early morning; later affecting Corfu, Diapontia Islands, Paxos, Lefkada, Epirus, and western Sterea.
Winds: Southeast 5-6 Beaufort, locally up to 7 in the Ionian and up to 8 in southern areas until noon. Winds will shift to westerly and northwesterly 5-7 in the evening.
Temperature: 13°C to 21°C, reaching up to 23°C in the south.
Eastern Sterea, Evia, Eastern Peloponnese
Weather: Overcast with rain and thunderstorms, heavy at times in central Sterea early morning.
Winds: Southeast 4-6 Beaufort, up to 7-8 in southern Peloponnese until noon, shifting to south-southwest 6-7 in the afternoon.
Temperature: 13°C to 23-24°C.
Cyclades, Crete
Weather: Scattered clouds that increase in the morning with local rain and isolated thunderstorms, primarily in the Cyclades.
Winds: Southeast 6-7, locally 8 Beaufort, turning to westerly and southwesterly in the afternoon.
Temperature: 15°C to 24°C, reaching up to 27°C in Crete.
Eastern Aegean Islands – Dodecanese
Weather: Cloudy with rain and thunderstorms, especially in northern islands like Lemnos from the afternoon.
Winds: Southeast 5-6, strengthening quickly to 7-8 Beaufort, with slight weakening overnight.
Temperature: 16°C to 24°C, a bit lower in the north.
Thessaly
Weather: Overcast with rain and thunderstorms, some severe early morning.
Winds: Southeast 4-5 Beaufort, shifting to north in the afternoon at 3-5 Beaufort.
Temperature: 10°C to 20°C.
Weather Outlook for Saturday, May 17
Western, central, and northern mainland Greece, along with the islands of the northern and eastern Aegean, can expect temporary increased clouds with local rain and scattered thunderstorms, some intense early morning in eastern Macedonia, Thrace, and the northeastern Aegean, before rapidly improving. The remaining areas will experience temporary clouds. African dust transport remains likely in the south.
Winds in western, central, and northern Greece will flow from the west and northwest at 4-6 Beaufort. In other regions, initially from the south-southwest at 4-6, locally 7 in the Aegean, gradually shifting to westerly directions with the same intensity. Temperatures will slightly decrease in the west and south, averaging 20-22°C in the north and 22-24°C in the rest of the country, with some inland spots hitting 25°C.
Forecast for Sunday, May 18
The eastern Aegean islands will see a few clouds that may increase temporarily until the afternoon, with local rain. Elsewhere, generally clear weather is expected, with some clouds in mainland regions around noon and afternoon, possibly with local showers in the mountains.
Winds: West-northwest 4-5, locally 6 Beaufort in the south, temporarily 7.
Temperatures: Little change is expected.
Weather for Monday, May 19
Overall clear weather is anticipated. Temporary clouds may develop over central and northern mainland Greece during noon and afternoon, prompting possible local showers in the northern mountains. Winds will come from the west at 3-5 Beaufort, locally 6 in the southern seas. A slight temperature increase is expected.
Weather for Tuesday, May 20
A generally clear day is on the horizon. Temporary clouds may form in central and northern mainland areas during noon and afternoon, with possible local showers in the mountains of Macedonia and Thrace. Winds will be light and variable, with north-northwest winds at 4-6 Beaufort in the seas, locally 7 in the southeastern Aegean. A slight further temperature rise is anticipated.
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