Greece is experiencing a severe heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 40∘ C (104∘ F) in numerous locations on Wednesday. This intense heat is projected to persist through the upcoming weekend.
Data from the National Observatory of Athens/meteo.gr network revealed Wednesday’s highest temperatures were recorded across Macedonia, Thrace, Thessaly, the Peloponnese, and East Central Greece, where they neared 42 C – 43 C (107.6 F – 109.4 F).
A comprehensive map from the National Observatory of Athens/meteo.gr illustrated the widespread nature of the heat:
310 out of 551 active measuring stations registered temperatures above 37 C (98.6 F).
78 stations surpassed 40 C (104 F).
5 stations recorded temperatures exceeding 42 C (107.6 F).
Notably, the average high temperature on Wednesday was 37.2 C (98.96 F).
Forecasted temperatures during the heatwave in Greece (Highs)
Thursday, July 24:
Mainland: 39 C-41 C (102.2 F-105.8F), locally 42 C-43 C (107.6 F-109.4 F) in Thessaly, eastern Central Greece, and the eastern Peloponnese.
Athens: 41 C-42 C (105.8 F-107.6 F)
Thessaloniki: 39 C-40 C (102.2 F-104 F)
Eastern Aegean & Dodecanese: 39 C-40 C (102.2 F-104 F), locally 41 C (105.8 F)
Ionian Islands & Crete: 37 C-39 C (98.6 F-102.2 F)
Friday, July 25:
Mainland: 40 C-41 C (104 F-105.8 F), locally 42 C (107.6 F), and in western regions up to 43 C (109.4 F).
Athens: 41 C-42 C (105.8 F-107.6 F)
Thessaloniki: 38 C-39 C (100.4 F-102.2 F)
Eastern Aegean & Dodecanese: 38 C-40 C (100.4 F-104 F)
Ionian Islands & Southern Crete: 39 C-41 C (102.2 F-105.8 F)
Saturday, July 26:
Mainland: 40 C-41 C (104 F-105.8 F), locally 42 C (107.6 F), and 43 C (109.4 F) in western areas.
Athens: 40 C-41 C (104 F-105.8 F)
Thessaloniki: 38 C-39 C (100.4 F-102.2 F)
Eastern Aegean & Dodecanese: 38 C-40 C (100.4 F-104 F)
Ionian Islands & Southern Crete: 38 C-40 C (100.4 F-104 F)
Wind Conditions
From Friday (July 25) noon and through Saturday (July 26), strong northerly winds of 6 to 7 Beaufort are anticipated in eastern regions, particularly over the Aegean Sea.
Elevated fire risk
A very high risk of fire (category 4) is predicted for Thursday in 10 regions across Greece, as indicated by the Fire Risk Map from the General Secretariat of Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr). These regions include:
- Ionian Islands
- Western Greece
- Peloponnese
- Central Greece (excluding Evrytania)
- Attica
- Epirus (Ioannina, Preveza, and Thesprotia regional units)
- Thessaly (Magnesia regional unit)
- Central Macedonia (Halkidiki, Thessaloniki, Kilkis, Serres regional units)
- Eastern Macedonia-Thrace (Evros and Rodopi regional units)
- North Aegean (Lesvos, Chios, and Samos regional units)
All state services and local authorities are on alert to manage potential fires. The public is strongly advised to avoid any outdoor activities or work that could accidentally ignite a fire.
The fire brigade is operating at its second level of operational readiness, conducting aerial surveillance and ground patrols with fire, police, and military forces. Fire department personnel in the high-risk regions are on partial alert, and civil protection plans for forest fires remain active.
