Greece remains on high alert as severe weather system Erminio is set to impact large parts of the country, bringing heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and powerful winds over the coming days.

Civil Protection authorities have activated emergency measures following updated warnings from the national meteorological service, with conditions expected to worsen from Wednesday through Thursday.

Widespread severe weather expected

According to official forecasts, intense rain and storms will initially affect western island regions early Wednesday before spreading eastward to mainland areas and parts of the Aegean.

Regions expected to be impacted include central and southern mainland areas, eastern coastal regions, and several island groups. The capital region is forecast to experience particularly heavy rainfall from midday through late night.

Strong winds, especially over the Aegean Sea, are expected to reach up to 10 on the Beaufort scale, raising concerns about travel disruption and maritime safety.

Snowfall is also expected in mountainous areas in the north, while localized hailstorms cannot be ruled out.

“Red Code” alert in multiple regions

Following an emergency risk assessment meeting, authorities issued a “Red Code” alert for several regions, signaling a high level of preparedness and response.

Local governments and emergency services have been instructed to remain on standby, while coordination centers have activated response protocols to address potential incidents.

Schools in capital to remain open

Despite the heightened alert, regional authorities decided that primary and secondary schools in the capital region will remain open on Wednesday. However, night schools will be closed due to the expected escalation of severe weather in the afternoon and evening hours.

The decision was made after weighing safety concerns alongside the need to avoid disruption to families’ schedules. Officials warned that weather conditions are expected to intensify rapidly later in the day.

Safety recommendations for families

Authorities urged parents to limit non-essential travel, particularly during the most critical hours from the afternoon onwards. They also recommended reconsidering after-school activities and extracurricular programs.

In addition, an early dismissal from extended school programs has been suggested, while a call has been made for the postponement or cancellation of school trips to and from regions under the highest alert level.