Extreme weather phenomena, including hail, heavy rain and lightning, struck several regions of Greece on Friday.

The severe weather front, forecast by the National Meteorological Service (EMY), affected Elassona and Larissa in central Greece, as heavy rain and hail pounded the two towns and wider region in the north. There were reports of damage to local field crops.

Similarly, the northern city of Katsoria was also impacted by a sudden deluge of rain and intense hail, causing traffic congestion.

Intense hail was also reported on Friday at noon in the city of Thebes, central Greece. The severe phenomena included heavy rain, hail, and thunder. There were reports of flooded home backyards and traffic disruption.

Severe thunderstorms also swept across northeastern Attica on Friday, bringing intense lightning activity and heavy rainfall.

Multiple lightning strikes were reported in several areas of the Attica prefecture by midday, while the first weather-related disruptions had already been recorded elsewhere in Greece, including in the Kozani area in western Macedonia, northern Greece.

In the Athens agglomeration, heavy rainfall affected the suburbs of Ano Liosia in the north and Thrakomakedones in the east, with meteorologists warning that the storm system was expected to expand to additional areas in the coming hours. In Mount Parnitha, dense storm clouds shrouded the mountainous landscape as the weather front intensified.

Authorities urged residents to exercise caution, warning that the storms could be accompanied by torrential rain, frequent lightning and locally strong wind gusts. Hailstorms were also possible in some areas.

Forecasters said unsettled weather conditions were expected to persist through Saturday midday, with thunderstorms continuing to affect parts of the country.