Greece is set for a sharp shift in weather conditions over the coming days, with spring-like sunshine giving way to warmer temperatures, stronger southerly winds and widespread rainfall.
Thursday will remain mostly sunny and relatively warm across much of the country, but weather conditions will begin changing on Friday as southerly winds strengthen. Temperatures will rise to as high as 28 to 30 degrees Celsius in some areas before organized rainfall begins in the west and gradually spreads to central and northern Greece over the weekend.
Warm and sunny Thursday
Thursday will bring prolonged sunshine, high daytime temperatures and noticeably cooler conditions at night across most of Greece.
Western Greece will be the main exception, with unsettled weather developing during the day. Rain and scattered thunderstorms are expected in the Ionian islands from the morning, gradually spreading around midday to Epirus, western Central Greece and northwestern Peloponnese.
Visibility will also be locally reduced early in the morning on islands and coastal areas because of fog.
Temperatures are not expected to change significantly. Highs will reach 25 to 27 C across the mainland, with some areas reaching 28 C. Temperatures will range from 24 to 25 C on the islands and reach 26 C in the Ionian islands.
Winds will gradually turn south-southwesterly at 3 to 4 Beaufort, locally reaching 5 Beaufort over the seas.
Temperatures rise on Friday
The weather pattern will begin changing on Friday as southerly winds become more dominant.
The southerly flow will push temperatures noticeably higher, with highs locally reaching 28 to 30 C, bringing a brief spell of unusually warm conditions.
At the same time, however, the first organized rainfall will mark a return to more typical autumn weather.
Rain will initially affect western Greece on Friday before gradually spreading to central and northern parts of the country over the weekend.
Autumn returns over the weekend
The developing pattern is expected to bring a classic autumn weather sequence, with a short-lived rise in temperatures quickly followed by more widespread rainfall.
The shift will produce rapidly changing conditions across Greece, as warmer air and southerly winds give way to organized rain extending across increasingly large parts of the country.
