Athens heatwave: thermal cameras record 75°C on rooftops, 60°C on asphalt as air temperatures hit 41.1°C

Heatwave bakes Greece

A powerful heatwave continued to grip Greece on Monday 20 July, pushing temperatures to extreme levels across many regions. The National Observatory of Athens (meteo.gr) reported that the highest air temperature reached 41.1°C, while thermal cameras in the Attica basin captured surface readings far above that. The combination of intense solar radiation and urban materials turned parts of the capital into a furnace, with asphalt and rooftops absorbing and re-radiating heat well into the afternoon.

Surface temperatures hit 75°C in Athens

Thermal cameras deployed in the Attica region recorded extraordinary surface temperatures shortly after 1:00 p.m. on Monday. On Kifisos avenue, the asphalt temperature exceeded 60°C, revealing the severe thermal conditions at street level. Even more extreme readings came from the Alsos Veikou area in Galatsi, where building rooftops and parked cars appeared white in thermal imagery, an indication that their surface temperatures had surpassed 75°C. These measurements highlight the intense heat burden on the urban environment during the ongoing heatwave.

Air temperature peaks at 41.1°C

While surface temperatures told a story of urban heat amplification, the official air temperature records from the meteo.gr automatic weather station network confirmed the heatwave's intensity. The highest maximum air temperature on Monday was 41.1°C, recorded at three locations: Riza in Korinthia, Makrakomi in Fthiotida, and Oleni in Ileia. These readings represent the peak of the heat event across the country, with the mercury climbing well above the seasonal norm.

Widespread extreme heat

The heat was not confined to a few hotspots. Data from the meteo.gr network showed that 24 weather stations recorded maximum temperatures above 40°C, while 159 stations registered highs exceeding 37°C. This broad geographic spread confirms that the heatwave affected a large portion of Greece, from the Peloponnese to central regions. The combination of high air temperatures and intense surface heating created particularly challenging conditions in urban areas, where materials like asphalt and concrete stored and released heat throughout the day.