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The final days of August are bringing very high temperatures across Greece, both during the day and at night. Temperatures in parts of the country are expected to reach 40°C on Tuesday, while authorities remain on alert because of the high risk of wildfires.

Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be the toughest two days of the week, with maximum temperatures exceeding 40°C in enclosed inland areas, according to a forecast by meteorologist Sakis Arnaoutoglou.

Meanwhile, the Municipality of Athens is opening air-conditioned facilities for vulnerable groups, while special attention is also being given to stray animals.

The weather on Tuesday

Clear skies are expected across the country, with clouds developing over mainland Greece around midday and in the afternoon, when showers are expected in mountainous areas.

Heatwave conditions will prevail in some areas, while overnight temperatures in urban centers are expected to remain high.

Temperatures in Western Macedonia will range from 17°C to 35°C, in the rest of Macedonia and Thrace from 21°C to 36–38°C, in Thessaly from 22°C to 39°C, in Epirus from 20°C to 36–37°C, in the rest of mainland Greece from 22°C to 37–39°C, locally reaching 40°C, in the Ionian Islands from 24°C to 35–36°C, and in the islands of the Aegean and Crete from 22°C to 32–35°C. In the eastern Aegean islands and southern Crete, maximum temperatures will locally reach 38–39°C.

Winds in the Aegean will blow from the north at 4 to 6 Beaufort, while northwesterly winds in the western parts will reach up to 5 Beaufort.

Attica and Thessaloniki

In Attica, the weather will be generally clear, with a few clouds developing around midday and in the afternoon. Winds will blow from the north-northeast at 3 to 4 Beaufort and up to 6 Beaufort in the east. Temperatures will range from 27°C to 38°C.

In Thessaloniki, generally clear weather is expected, with clouds developing around midday and in the afternoon. Winds will be variable at 2 to 4 Beaufort, while temperatures will range from 24°C to 35°C.

Municipality of Athens: Where air-conditioned facilities will operate

The Municipality of Athens has placed all seven of its Friendship Clubs on full alert. They will operate from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. as air-conditioned facilities for residents.

Specifically:

  • Agios Pavlos Friendship Club, 22 Mamouri & Dymis streets. Phone: 210 8223946
  • “The Ascension of the Lord” Friendship Club in Neos Kosmos, 15 Heldreich St. Phone: 210 9240403
  • Botanikos Friendship Club, 4 Kozanis St. Phone: 210 3423716
  • Kolokynthous Friendship Club, 9 Aimonos & Astrous streets. Phone: 210 5140877
  • Agios Eleftherios Friendship Club, 372 Acharnon St. Phone: 210 2012334
  • Kypseli Friendship Club, Skyrou & Kavkasou streets. Phone: 210 8815877
  • Ambelokipi Friendship Club, Panormou & Vatheast streets. Phone: 210 6459890

During the days of high temperatures, the Municipality of Athens Reception and Solidarity Center will supply the Friendship Clubs, the Multipurpose Homeless Center and the Day Center with water, beverages and special kits containing personal hygiene products.

1595: The 24-hour Citizen Service Line

Residents, particularly those belonging to vulnerable groups, can contact the 24-hour Citizen Service Line at 1595 (charges vary depending on the provider) or 210 5287800.

For medical advice and guidance on preventing and dealing with health problems caused by high temperatures, the “Heatwave Line” operated by the Multipurpose Municipal Clinics is available at 210 3638049, every day from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Increased operational readiness

The Municipality of Athens is maintaining heightened operational readiness around the clock. Specifically:

  • Teams from the Departments of Cleaning and Green Spaces are conducting patrols.
  • Municipal Police officers are monitoring green spaces and high-risk areas using ground vehicles and drones equipped with cameras to immediately detect critical temperature changes.
  • The Municipal Police Operations Center is operating in coordination with the Fire Department, relevant authorities, as well as other services and municipalities, if necessary.
  • The municipality’s water trucks are on continuous standby.

Vulnerable groups

To protect homeless people, the Municipality of Athens’ Streetwork teams will operate on the streets from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Social workers, nurses and psychologists will provide bottles of cool water and kits containing personal hygiene products.

Caring for stray animals

For the city’s stray animals, the Urban Fauna Department of the Municipality of Athens has installed more than 130 water stations across the capital’s neighborhoods, which are maintained by both municipal staff and volunteers.

Residents are being asked to help ensure the stations remain filled with fresh, cool water. At the same time, care guidelines for owners and people who look after animals on the streets during the days of high temperatures are available on the Urban Fauna Department’s social media accounts. The Municipal Veterinary Clinic at 94 Mesogeion Avenue & Trikalon St. will operate from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It can be reached at 210 7483967.

Protecting workers from heat stress

The Municipality of Athens is adjusting the operation of its services with the health and safety of workers in mind, in accordance with instructions from the relevant ministries and the prescribed protective measures against heat stress.

In particular, outdoor crews will be withdrawn from the field during the hottest hours of the day, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., while work schedules will be adjusted so that the most demanding tasks are carried out during cooler hours. Special provisions will also be made for workers belonging to vulnerable groups, while all employees will be provided with the necessary personal protective equipment, cool water and adequate breaks, with the aim of ensuring they can safely perform their duties.

Important instructions for residents

  • Do not take out garbage to the bins between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Observing these hours is necessary for public health, worker safety and to prevent unpleasant odors.
  • Be especially careful and avoid any activity in the city that could accidentally cause a fire.

Special schedule for Cleaning Services

A special schedule will be implemented by the Municipality of Athens Department of Cleaning and Recycling, in accordance with instructions from the relevant supervisors. The special schedule will be implemented at the supervisors’ discretion, taking into account the operational needs of each department, the availability of personnel and vehicles, as well as the need to ensure uninterrupted service to the city.

High fire risk

A high risk of wildfire, classified as Category 3, is forecast for a large part of the country today, according to the Fire Risk Forecast Map issued by Greece’s General Secretariat for Civil Protection.