Northern Greece has experienced an unusually early taste of winter, with the first snowfall of the season blanketing high-altitude mountains like Mount Olympus, Kaimaktsalan, and Falakro.
The cold front brought sub-zero temperatures, dropping to −1C at the Kakalos Refuge on Olympus (2,650 meters), where the legendary peaks received a dusting of snow above 2,500 meters.
The wintry conditions, which also coated the Kaimaktsalan and Falakro ski centers, are forecast to continue across the region until Friday.
Early October snowfall is rare for Greece
This early October snow is extremely rare for Greece, having been observed a few times in the past. While climate data shows a long-term decline in snowfall duration across the country, this unusual event has excited local weather enthusiasts, prompting speculation about a potentially snowier winter ahead.
According to studies conducted by METEO (the meteorological unit of the National Observatory of Athens), across Greece, the duration of the snow cover period has been decreasing by approximately 1.5 days per year over the analysis period of 1991 to 2020.
This annual rate translates to a significant loss in total snow-covered days over the three decades, particularly in central and northern mountainous regions, which have experienced a loss of 30 to 50 days with snow cover.
Studies show that snowfall is becoming rarer in autumn, starting later (towards the end of November in the mountains), while the snowmelt begins earlier in the spring, significantly shortening the overall snow season.
Snowmelt is crucial for replenishing freshwater reserves and groundwater recharge in Greece. Reduced and shorter snow cover negatively impacts these vital water supplies.
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