Strong northerly winds, high temperatures and low humidity are combining Monday to create dangerous conditions for the outbreak and spread of wildfires across large parts of Greece.
The hot, dry and windy pattern is most pronounced in eastern and southern Greece, with winds in the Aegean locally reaching as high as 9 Beaufort. The combination of powerful winds, dry air and high temperatures has placed authorities on heightened alert as the fire-weather risk rises sharply.
According to Greece’s Risk Assessment Committee, northerly winds in Thrace and the western Peloponnese will reach 4 to 6 Beaufort.
In Attica and Boeotia, Evia, the eastern and southern Peloponnese, Kythira, western Crete and much of the Aegean, winds are forecast at 6 to 7 Beaufort, with gusts locally reaching 8 and possibly 9 Beaufort.
Particular caution is required in areas where the strong winds coincide with high temperatures and low humidity.
Red Code in Multiple Regions
On Monday’s fire-weather map, areas shown in purple are those where any wildfire that breaks out could develop into an extreme event.
These include Attica, Boeotia, central and southern Evia, Laconia, Argolis, Chios and Lesvos.
Natural disasters professor Kostas Synolakis highlighted the danger posed by the conditions in comments to ANT1.
“We all need to understand that under these conditions, even the smallest spark can be carried as far as a kilometer away,” he said. “The Fire Service is trying to take extremely strict measures, but we as citizens also need to be very careful and pay close attention to anything that could cause ignition.”
For Monday, Aug. 10, the Attica Region, including Kythira, as well as parts of the Peloponnese, Crete, Central Greece, the North and South Aegean and Western Greece have been placed under Red Code mobilization.
Areas under Red Code are:
- The Attica Region, including Kythira
- The regional units of Corinthia, Argolis, Arcadia and Laconia
- The Region of Crete
- The regional units of Boeotia, Phthiotis, Phocis and Evia, including Skyros
- The regional units of Lesvos, Chios, Samos and Ikaria
- The Cyclades
- The regional unit of Achaia
Despite the strong northerly winds, temperatures remain high. Most areas will see highs of 34 to 36 degrees Celsius, while temperatures in mainland Greece, Crete and the Dodecanese will reach 37°C.
In Epirus, western Central Greece and the western and southern Peloponnese, temperatures will locally climb to 38 to 39°C.
Winds Ease Slightly, Temperatures Fall From Thursday
A slight easing of the winds is expected on Tuesday, Aug. 11, and Wednesday, Aug. 12, although northerly winds will remain strong in eastern and southern Greece at 6 to 7 Beaufort.
The heat will not ease immediately. Temperatures are expected to begin falling from Thursday, Aug. 13, when a gradual change in conditions is forecast.
Monday will be generally clear, with temporary morning clouds in central Macedonia, eastern Thessaly, Evia and Crete. Winds will blow from the north at 4 to 6 Beaufort, reaching a local 7 Beaufort over eastern mainland areas and 8 Beaufort in parts of the Aegean.
Monday is expected to be the most difficult day in terms of fire-weather conditions, with the combination of heat, dryness and very strong winds requiring heightened caution.
Forecast for the Coming Days
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026
The weather will be generally clear. Temporary clouds will develop over mainland areas during the afternoon, mainly over the central and northern mountains, where localized showers are possible.
Winds will blow from the north at 3 to 5 Beaufort, reaching a local 6 Beaufort in eastern areas and up to 7 Beaufort in the Aegean.
Temperatures will remain broadly unchanged, reaching 35 to 37°C, and locally 38 to 39°C on the mainland.
Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026
The weather will remain generally clear, with some temporary clouds over mainland mountain areas during the afternoon.
Northerly winds will blow at 3 to 5 Beaufort, reaching 6 and locally 7 Beaufort in the Aegean.
Temperatures will remain largely unchanged.
Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026
The weather will be generally clear. Temporary clouds will develop over northern mainland mountain areas during the afternoon, bringing localized rain or showers and possibly isolated thunderstorms.
Northerly winds will blow at 4 to 6 Beaufort, reaching 7 and locally 8 Beaufort in the Aegean.
Temperatures will fall slightly in eastern parts of the country.
