Greece is set to experience another intense heatwave beginning Sunday, July 13, with temperatures expected to climb significantly above seasonal averages and remain high for at least a week, according to meteorological forecasts.
Prolonged Heat Expected Nationwide
The upcoming heatwave is forecast to bring sustained high temperatures from July 13 to July 20. Meteorologists warn that the mercury will rise 6–8°C above typical seasonal levels during this period, marking a prolonged stretch of hot weather.
Forecasts also indicate generally clear skies, with only a few localized afternoon clouds expected over mountainous inland areas. Winds will blow from the northwest at 3 to 5 Beaufort in western regions, while northern winds in the east and over the Aegean Sea may reach up to 7 Beaufort.
Daytime temperatures will peak at 34–36°C in most of mainland Greece and up to 37°C in central regions. Coastal and island areas such as the Ionian Sea, the Dodecanese, the eastern Aegean, and southern Crete will see temperatures between 32–34°C, while other islands will experience slightly milder conditions around 29–31°C.
Meteorologists Issue Early Warnings
Meteorologist George Tsatraphyllias described the forecast as a “marathon of heat,” noting that current models continue to indicate extended high temperatures well above normal for the season. While he does not rule out the possibility of an extreme heatwave, he stressed that meteorological models have not yet reached consensus on such an outcome. “Be patient—air conditioning will be unavoidable during the coming nights,” he cautioned.
Former Director of Greece’s National Meteorological Service (EMY), Theodoros Kolydas, also weighed in, forecasting that temperatures for the week of July 14–21 will be around 3°C above normal. However, he clarified that these figures do not meet the threshold to be classified as extreme. He cited the ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) data, noting low EFI (Extreme Forecast Index) values between 0.3 and 0.5.
Increased Fire Risk Across the Country
In addition to extreme heat, meteorologists are sounding the alarm over heightened wildfire risk. According to the National Observatory of Athens’ meteo.gr platform, the combination of high temperatures, atmospheric dryness, and strong winds could create dangerous conditions for wildfires across much of the country from Sunday, July 13.
Key concerns include:
- Persistent hot and dry conditions from July 13 to July 20.
- Strong northern winds in eastern mainland Greece and the Aegean from July 13 to July 16, potentially creating “Hot–Dry–Windy” scenarios.
- A significant rise in vegetation flammability, increasing the risk of fast-spreading fires, even at night.
- Moderate wildfire risk in parts of western and northern Greece, particularly from July 15–16.
A ridge of hot air in the mid-troposphere is expected to settle over southeastern Europe, driving the prolonged heat and dryness. Meteorologists emphasize that the atmospheric patterns responsible for this spell are expected to persist through at least July 20, worsening fire weather conditions with each passing day.
