Greece is entering a period of unstable weather just before the Christmas holidays, ending the mild conditions, meteorologists report. According to expert Giorgos Tsatrafyllias, the country will experience two distinct weather phases leading up to New Year’s, with rain, storms, and falling temperatures affecting much of the country.

Phase 1 – Late December:
From Saturday, December 20, the first phase brings autumn-like conditions, with heavy, localized rain and thunderstorms, strong southerly winds at sea, and snowfall in the high mountains. This phase is expected to continue through December 28, including the Christmas period.

Phase 2 – Winter Weather:
The second phase, spanning New Year’s and the first days of 2026, will feature a notable temperature drop from north to south, stronger winds, frequent rain along coastal areas, and heavy snowfall in the mountains, possibly reaching lower elevations.

Detailed Forecast:

  • Saturday, Dec 20: Northern Ionian, Epirus, Macedonia, Thrace, and northeastern Aegean islands will see increasing cloud cover, while the rest of Greece will experience scattered rain, with thunderstorms in the Peloponnese, Cyclades, and Crete in the afternoon. Winds will be moderate to strong, with temperatures ranging from 12–19°C depending on region.
  • Sunday, Dec 21: Rain continues in Thessaly, Sporades, eastern Sterea, Evia, eastern Peloponnese, the Cyclades, Crete, and the Dodecanese. Snow may fall in northern mountainous areas. Winds moderate, temperatures slightly cooler.
  • Monday, Dec 22: Cloudy skies with local rain, scattered thunderstorms in the Dodecanese, and snow in northern mountains. Winds mostly from the northeast and southeast, temperatures stable.
  • Tuesday, Dec 23: Increased cloud cover and widespread rain across Greece, with sporadic thunderstorms in the Ionian Islands. Snow continues in mountainous areas, while southern and southeastern winds reach 4–6 Beaufort.

Meteorologists note that the breakdown of the high-pressure system, or “atmospheric mountain,” is responsible for ending the unusually warm conditions, bringing more seasonally normal winter weather for the holidays.