Greece weather: rain and storms expected across mainland, strong winds up to 7 Beaufort in Aegean

General outlook

According to the Greek National Meteorological Service (EMY), Wednesday 24 June will see a mix of sunshine and local instability across the country. From early morning, clouds will gather over western and central Macedonia, with local rain or showers. By midday and into the afternoon, cloud cover will expand to the rest of the mainland. There, local rain, showers, and sporadic thunderstorms are expected, especially over mountainous areas. Conditions are forecast to improve from the evening hours. Some reports indicate that similar localized instability may persist over the following days.

Winds and temperatures

Winds will blow from northerly directions, at 3–4 Beaufort in the west and 4–5 in the east, reaching 6 locally in the Aegean (sources vary, with reports of gusts up to 7). The temperature will drop slightly in the north, with most regions recording highs of 32 to 34 degrees Celsius. A slight cooling is anticipated in western Macedonia and the interior of Epirus, where temperatures will be 2–4 degrees lower than on the surrounding plains.

Mainland conditions

In Attica and Athens, the day starts generally clear, but midday and afternoon will bring temporary clouds. Local showers and possibly isolated thunderstorms may occur over the western and northern suburbs. Winds will be northerly, 3–4 Beaufort, locally up to 5 in the east. Temperatures will range from 23 to 32 degrees.

Thessaloniki will see periods of increased cloudiness with local showers and, around midday, isolated thunderstorms. Winds will be variable at 3–4 Beaufort. The high will reach 31 degrees, with the phenomena subsiding by evening.

Across Macedonia and Thrace, Thrace will stay generally clear with only brief afternoon clouds. Macedonia will have local clouds gradually thickening, leading to local rain or showers, and mainly in the mountains sporadic thunderstorms. Winds will be east-northeast at 3–4, up to 5 in eastern parts, shifting to northwest in the afternoon. Maximum temperatures 18–32 degrees, with western Macedonia 2–3 degrees lower.

The Ionian Islands, Epirus, western Sterea and western Peloponnese will be mostly clear. However, during the afternoon, temporary clouds will form over the mainland, bringing local showers and, especially in the mountains of Epirus and western Sterea, sporadic thunderstorms. Winds will be northwest 3–4 Beaufort. Highs will be 20–33 degrees on the coast, up to 34 locally, but 3–4 degrees cooler in inland Epirus.

In Thessaly, eastern Sterea, Evia and eastern Peloponnese, skies will be almost clear. Midday and afternoon will see temporary clouds with local showers and sporadic thunderstorms, mainly in the mountains. Winds will be northerly 3–5 Beaufort. Temperatures 20–33 degrees, locally 34.

Island conditions

The Cyclades and Crete will enjoy clear skies, with north-northwest winds at 4–6 Beaufort. Highs will range from 22 to 29 degrees, but southern Crete may reach 33 degrees.

In the eastern Aegean Islands and the Dodecanese, the weather will be clear. Winds will blow from the north at 4–6 Beaufort. Temperatures will be 21 to 30 degrees, with the Dodecanese seeing local highs of 33 degrees.