After days of scorching heat, Greece is bracing for a sharp change in weather conditions, with storms, hail, and powerful winds expected to sweep across much of the northern and central regions on Thursday, July 31, and continuing into Friday, August 1.
According to Greece’s National Meteorological Service (EMY), the short-term weather deterioration will impact areas including Macedonia, Thrace, Thessaly, the Sporades islands, and parts of Epirus. The forecast includes locally heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, hailstorms, and wind gusts reaching up to 7 on the Beaufort scale.
Regions Most Affected
- Central and Eastern Macedonia: From early morning through late Thursday night
- Western Macedonia and mountainous Epirus: During the afternoon hours
- Thrace: From midday through the evening
- Sporades Islands: From morning until early afternoon
- Thessaly: Late morning through early evening
Meteorologists warned that the system, moving in from Italy, is likely to cause flash floods, frequent lightning, large hailstones, and sudden wind surges—especially in coastal and mountainous regions.
Weather by Day
Thursday, July 31
Northern and central regions will experience widespread cloud cover, rain, and isolated strong storms. Elsewhere in Greece, skies will remain partly cloudy, with some local showers and storms expected in mountainous zones. Temperatures will continue to drop, peaking between 31°C and 35°C inland.
Friday, August 1
Improved weather is expected in most areas, though local showers and occasional storms will continue in northern parts of the country and the Aegean islands early in the day. Winds will strengthen from the north, especially in the Aegean Sea, reaching up to 7 Beaufort.
No New Heatwaves Expected
The current atmospheric shift is driven by high-pressure systems moving northward, which are redirecting cooler air from central Europe toward Greece. This pattern is expected to persist through mid-August, keeping extreme heat at bay.
Residents and visitors in affected areas are advised to remain alert for rapidly changing conditions and to avoid exposed outdoor activities during peak storm hours.
