Greece braces for storms and 9 Beaufort winds on 13 and 14 October

The storm forecast

The EMY has issued an emergency bulletin forecasting a deterioration in the weather on Tuesday, 13 October, and Wednesday, 14 October, with strong rain and storms in many areas, mainly over sea and coastal zones, where local hail is possible. Locally very strong northeast winds of 8 to 9 Beaufort are forecast over the north Aegean from the evening of Tuesday, spreading gradually to the central Aegean and lasting until the afternoon of Wednesday. The bulletin will be renewed in 12 hours.

Where the worst is expected on Tuesday

On Tuesday, the strongest storms are forecast for the Ionian islands of Lefkada, Kefalonia and Zakynthos, western Central Greece and western Peloponnese from the morning until late afternoon. Chalkidiki should see storms from midday until late at night, while the Sporades, eastern Thessaly in Magnesia prefecture and Evia are expected to be hit from the afternoon. The EMY expects storms in Attica from late afternoon until late at night, and in western Crete, mainly Chania and Rethymno, from the evening. Meteorologist Giannis Kallianos said on MEGA that he expects a full ban on sea travel on Wednesday, and that landings at some airports could be difficult.

Wednesday and Thursday

From Wednesday, the phenomena shift east to Evia, the Sporades, the eastern and northeastern Aegean, the Cyclades, Crete and the Dodecanese. According to Kallianos, gusts are set to reach 10 Beaufort on Wednesday and Thursday, which he said means storms. Meteorologist Klearchos Marousakis of OPEN forecasts a temperature drop of 6 to 8 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, after temperatures of 26 to 27 degrees Celsius on Monday, 12 October. News 24/7 forecasts 14 to 23 degrees Celsius in Attica on Tuesday. Thursday is expected to bring a temporary improvement, though the instability is not expected to end for good.

Late October scenario

Marousakis posted that a model scenario has appeared in his forecasting systems for the last ten days of October, which his team is monitoring. The scenario resembles a strong Mediterranean tropical cyclone, and he described what it would bring if it is confirmed.

If confirmed, it would be a difficult weather phenomenon, which will resemble winter rather than autumn, with a strong flow of polar air towards lower latitudes.

Marousakis wrote that many days must pass before a serious probability of verification can be given. He also cited statistics showing November as the most hazardous month for rainfall, and said climate change is bringing such events earlier.

Civil Protection guidance

The General Secretariat for Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection has informed regions and municipalities to be on heightened alert. The fire service announced that its operational plan for floods and associated phenomena is being put into effect, and fire services in the affected areas are on heightened alert, ready to escalate if needed. Citizens are advised to secure objects that strong winds could carry away and to keep gutters and downpipes clear. They should avoid crossing torrents and streams on foot or by vehicle during storms and for several hours after, and avoid outdoor work and activity in sea and coastal areas during storms because of lightning. During hail, people should take shelter in a building or car until the storm has passed, and avoid standing under large trees or loose signs.