Greece is experiencing a spell of intense heat, with Attica among the regions most affected. On Tuesday, temperatures in the greater Athens area are expected to climb to 37°C, while other regions across the country will see highs of up to 39°C.
According to meteorologist Thodoris Kolydas, the heightened heat in Athens is strongly influenced by the “urban heat island” effect. This phenomenon, which occurs in densely built urban areas, can raise temperatures by an additional 2 to 4 degrees Celsius. Compounding the effect are dry and warm downslope winds descending from the surrounding mountains, such as Penteli and Hymettus, which further increase heat levels — particularly along the Saronic Gulf coastline.
Heat to Intensify by the End of the Week
Forecaster Giorgos Tsatrafilias warns of an intensifying heatwave later this week, describing it as a “significant heat episode.” By Friday, temperatures are projected to reach 40°C in regions such as Thessaly and Central Greece. He notes that the mercury is running as much as 6°C above seasonal averages, placing Greece in the peak of its summer heat cycle.
Tuesday’s Forecast: Clear Skies with Local Showers in the North
The National Meteorological Service (EMY) reports that Tuesday, July 15, will be mostly sunny across Greece. However, isolated showers and storms may develop in the afternoon over mountainous parts of Epirus, Macedonia, Western Central Greece, and Thessaly.
Winds will vary between 3 and 6 on the Beaufort scale, reaching up to 7 in parts of the Aegean Sea. Temperatures will remain stable, with maximums ranging from 36°C to 38°C on the mainland, 34°C to 36°C in the eastern Aegean and Crete, and slightly cooler readings of 31°C to 33°C on other islands.
Regional Highlights
- Attica: Clear skies with northern winds of 4 to 6 Beaufort. Temperatures will range from 23°C to 38°C, slightly cooler in eastern areas.
- Thessaloniki: Sunny with possible afternoon showers in surrounding mountains. Highs up to 36°C.
- Macedonia and Thrace: Mostly clear with afternoon storms in mountainous areas. Highs between 36°C and 37°C, cooler in western Macedonia.
- Ionian Islands, Epirus, Western Central Greece, Western Peloponnese: Generally clear with local afternoon showers, especially in mountainous areas. Highs up to 37°C.
- Eastern Central Greece, Evia, Eastern Peloponnese: Clear and hot, with local clouds in higher elevations. Temperatures could reach 38°C.
- Cyclades and Crete: Sunny with winds reaching 7 Beaufort in the Cyclades. Highs between 31°C and 36°C, warmer in southern Crete.
- Eastern Aegean Islands and Dodecanese: Clear skies, northern winds up to 7 Beaufort, and highs up to 36°C.
- Thessaly: Mostly sunny with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms in the mountains. Highs reaching 38°C inland, cooler along the coast and in the Sporades.
