Meteorologists are forecasting a sharp change in weather in Greece as lower temperatures, heavy rain and snowfall are expected to move into the country in the coming days.

Meteorologists are warning of dangerous conditions, including intense rainfall, snowfall at higher altitudes and a significant drop in temperatures. Gale-force winds on Thursday kept ferries tied up at ports nationwide, while temperatures fell sharply overnight.

Forecasts point to unstable weather throughout the weekend. Rain is expected on Friday in the Dodecanese and the Ionian islands, with heavier rainfall forecast for Epirus in northern Greece, the Peloponnese, and parts of central Greece. Snowfall is expected in mountainous areas.

Temperatures are set to fall to around 10°C in northern Greece, 12-15°C in central regions, and about 17°C on Crete, with icy conditions possible during the early morning hours.

Winds will initially blow from the northwest at 7-8 Beaufort before gradually shifting to southwesterly winds of 5-6 Beaufort.

In the wider Athens area, mostly sunny conditions are expected, with clouds increasing in the afternoon. Temperatures will range from 4°C to 15°C, with northwesterly winds up to 7 Beaufort turning southwesterly at 4-6 Beaufort later in the day.

Rainy conditions are forecast to continue over the weekend, while snowfall is expected in northwestern Greece at lower altitudes. Temperatures will range from 12-14°C on the mainland, 15-17°C on the Ionian and North Aegean islands, and around 19°C on Crete and the Dodecanese.

According to meteorologist Klearchos Marousakis, Monday and Tuesday are expected to be the coldest days of the new year, with temperatures plunging and snow potentially reaching coastal areas.

Marousakis said he expects a polar air mass to descend over Greece on Sunday, bringing snow even at low altitudes. Snowfall could reach parts of Attica, the Aegean islands, Evia, and mountainous areas of Crete.

Earlier this week, snowfall and icy conditions across Europe grounded dozens of flights and left thousands of passengers stranded.