Greece braces for storms, African dust and 8 Beaufort winds from Friday, 13 November

Friday peak in western Greece

Organised low-pressure systems that formed over the Iberian Peninsula are moving toward Greece, according to meteorologist Klearchos Marousakis. The systems are expected to affect western parts of the country first, before shifting gradually east. The most serious deterioration is forecast for Friday, 13 November, with western and northwestern Greece at the centre of the weather. The northern Ionian, Epirus and western Central Greece need the most attention, since they are expected to receive the bulk of the rainfall, with locally strong storms possible.

Dust and strong winds

African dust carried by southerly winds is forecast to become noticeable from midday on Thursday, 12 November, affecting most parts of the country, according to the meteo.gr service of the National Observatory of Athens. The dust is expected to peak on Friday, when western Greece, the Cyclades and Crete will carry the heaviest load. Southerly winds are forecast to strengthen sharply, reaching 8 Beaufort locally on Friday, mainly over the Aegean. On the same day, winds of 5 to 6 Beaufort are expected across the Aegean, with 7 Beaufort not ruled out in the northern Aegean in the afternoon.

Shift east from Saturday

From Saturday, 14 November, the rain and storms are expected to move east, concentrating over eastern Macedonia, Thrace and the islands of the eastern and northeastern Aegean. The most intense phenomena in those areas are forecast for the evening hours. Winds are expected to gradually turn northerly, and dust concentrations are forecast to begin falling from Saturday. A cold front is also expected to make its appearance from Saturday, according to the NewsIT preview of the forecast.

Temperatures and the week ahead

Despite the heavy rain, temperatures are expected to stay unusually high for the season until Saturday. Citing the model ICON-EU, the director of the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, Thodoris Kolydas, is quoted in the forecasts with Friday maxima of 18 to 24 degrees, locally up to 26. Forecast ranges for Friday are 10 to 21 degrees in Attica, 12 to 23 in Thessaloniki and 9 to 25 in Crete. Temperatures are then expected to fall until Tuesday, 17 November, after which a new round of rain, higher temperatures and humidity is expected.