Emergency Weather Alert: Storms, Hail, and Lightning Expected
The Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS) has issued an emergency weather bulletin warning with reports of storms, hail, and lightning beginning today and continuing through to Saturday.
According to the HNMS:
“cold, unstable air masses will cover Greece over the next three days, causing severe weather. Specifically expect heavy rain and storms with frequent lightning and local hail from Thursday (August 29, 2024) until Saturday (August 31, 2024). Strong winds may also accompany these weather phenomena.”
The HNMS also explains that:
“The atmospheric conditions over the Eastern Mediterranean are unusual for this time of year. In particular, a ‘Cold Lake,’ a detached mass of cold air, is affecting our region. Significant rainfall is expected across the Balkans, southern Italy, and Turkey until Saturday, August 31, 2024.”
It is worth noting that the “Cold Lake” effect results in conditions in the atmosphere that are extremely difficult to predict with great accuracy by forecast models, which then causes uncertainty as to which areas will receive the highest amounts of rain.
Forecasts will be updated at regular intervals and will be followed by newer relevant announcements with updated forecasts.
Detailed forecast: Regional impact and timing through Saturday
For Thursday, August 29, 2024, mid-afternoon, storms were to affect the continental areas, especially Epirus, western Sterea, western and central Peloponnese, and central Macedonia, particularly Halkidiki.
Today, on Friday, August 30, 2024, in the morning, the Ionian Islands will see weather changes. Then, from midday to evening, expect storms in Epirus, the Peloponnese, Central Greece (mainly central and eastern parts, including Attica), Evia, Sporades, Thessaly, central Macedonia (mainly Halkidiki), and eastern Macedonia.
For Saturday, August 31, 2024, morning storms will affect Thessaly, Sporades, and Evia. Expect more intense weather from midday to afternoon in Epirus, the Attica region, and the Peloponnese.
Temperature and weather conditions for affected areas in Greece
The weather will impact the mainland, Ionian, Northern Aegean, and possibly mountainous areas of Crete. Intense storms and hail may occur in mountainous continental regions. Those near coastal areas and beaches ae being cautioned due to possible short downpours in the Ionian and Northern Aegean. Extreme weather conditions should subside by early Saturday evening.
Expect rain and local storms in Thessaloniki and mainly western and northern Attica. Temperatures will reach 33 to 35°C (91 to 95°F) in continental areas and 31 to 34°C (87 to 94°F) on the islands. Sea winds will generally stay below 4 to 5 Beaufort. During storms, expect strong gusts of wind.
In Greece, already, the presence of cold air masses above the warm surface creates conditions of instability, i.e. they favor the creation of storms mainly over the continental areas in the afternoon hours. The risk of flooding will be increased, as a great rapidity of rainfall and a large number of electrical discharges are predicted.
