Weather: The temperature in the “red” until Wednesday – The six measures for the heatwave

The temperature will be in the “red” in Greece from today, with heat wave peaking tomorrow, with the thermometer in the eastern mainland reaching 41 to 42 degrees. Temperatures will remain high through Wednesday, with very strong northwesterly winds starting in the afternoon of that day and from the west. On Thursday the temperature will drop across the country by 5 to 7 degrees.

According to the updated emergency weather bulletin issued at noon on July 4, very high temperatures are forecast in our country until Wednesday (09-07-25). The highest values (maximum values of more than 40 degrees) will occur from today (07-07-25) in the interior of mainland Greece. On Thursday (10-07-25) a significant drop in temperature is expected throughout the country.

It is noted that:

A. In the coastal areas of the mainland the maximum temperature will be 2 to 4 degrees lower than the temperature in the interior of mainland Greece.

Β. The relative humidity will be low (indicatively 20% to 30% during the midday hours in the interior of the mainland).

C. Minimum temperatures on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in urban centres will remain high and will be around 27 to 29 degrees Celsius.

In more detail:

Today (07-07-25) high temperatures will also be recorded in the eastern island country. Maximum values will reach:

a) in mainland Greece 39 to 40 and in some places 41 degrees Celsius.

b) in the Ionian islands, the islands of the East Aegean and the Dodecanese islands 36 to 38 degrees Celsius.

On Tuesday (08-07-25) a slight rise (about 1 to 2 degrees) is expected in the eastern mainland and the Aegean, while in the Ionian and the western mainland no significant change is expected. Maximum values will reach:

a) in the eastern continent, in some places 41 to 42 degrees Celsius.

b) in the western continental areas 37 to 39 and in some places 40 degrees Celsius.

c) in the Ionian islands 35 to 37 degrees Celsius.

d) 38 degrees Celsius on the islands of the Eastern Aegean and the Dodecanese.

On Wednesday (09-07-25) a slight drop in high temperatures is expected in the Ionian Sea and the western mainland, while in the eastern mainland and the Aegean Sea they will remain at the same high levels.

At 38-39 °C on Sunday 06/07 – The power of the sea breeze in Athens

High temperatures prevailed on Sunday 6 July 2025, especially in the continental parts of the country, where maximum temperatures reached 38-39 °C locally.

Special mention should be made of the effect of the sea breeze on the city of Athens. During the period 12:00-13:00, maximum daytime temperatures were recorded in most areas of the city, which were in the range of 36-37 °C. Thereafter, a sea breeze, i.e. winds of southerly direction coming from the Saronic Sea, gradually prevailed, resulting in a significant drop in temperature in the southern coastal areas, but in areas of the southern suburbs of the city.

What was decided at the inter-ministerial meeting – The six measures

At an emergency inter-ministerial and coordination meeting under the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Yannis Kefalogiannis, it was decided to activate a series of measures to deal with the prolonged heatwave, which is expected to last until Thursday 10 July, when a significant change in the weather is expected.

Specifically, the meeting decided the following:

– The Fire Corps will be on alert in accordance with the operational planning. – The Ministries of Health, and Labour and Social Security will be on heightened alert. – The Armed Forces will conduct patrols and will have project machinery on standby in order to operate immediately if necessary. – The Hellenic Police and the Coast Guard will be on high alert. – The Civil Protection Mechanism of the Regions and the Municipalities (project machinery, water carriers, voluntary groups), as well as the Forestry Service will be on high alert. – Also in increased readiness the DEDDIE and ADMIE, the ambulance service and the competent services of the Ministry of Tourism. – It is noted that earlier a meeting of the scientific Committee for Risk Assessment was held.

Emergency measures to address heat stress among private sector workers

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has announced emergency measures to address heat stress among private sector workers on Monday 7 July 2025.

In particular, the following apply:

A. Measures to address the heat stress of private sector workers

In order to address the heat stress of employees with dependent employment in the private sector of the economy, employers shall take technical and organizational protection measures, in accordance with the indicative and not restrictive list of circular No. 34666/03.06.2024, entitled “Prevention of heat stress of employees”.

Β. Mandatory cessation of work in outdoor activities

For employees of companies located in areas where, according to the forecast data of the National Meteorological Service (EMY), particularly high temperatures and levels of discomfort (WBGT) are expected to prevail, namely in the Regions of Central Macedonia, Ionian Islands, Western Greece and Thessaly, the Regional Units of Messinia and Samos, as well as in the eastern part of Rhodes, the work stoppage on Monday 07.07.2025, during the period 12.00-17.00, in manual work performed outdoors, such as work in technical and construction works, construction sites, shipbuilding and repair zones, distribution and transport of products and objects with two-wheeled vehicles, scooters, delivery vehicles, etc.

It is noted that the above cases of mandatory cessation of work include all employees regardless of their type of employment, including digital platforms under Article 68 of Law No. 4808/2021.

If the measure of cessation of work for delivery businesses is applied to delivery businesses, this applies to all businesses that carry out delivery whether they have a physical store or a digital platform.

However, the option of ordering by picking up the user directly from the shop/point of delivery (takeaway) may be kept active, as well as the possible possibility of executing the order by private and public vehicles, except for all types of two-wheelers and mopeds, as defined in the provisions of the Road Traffic Code, provided that they are equipped with air conditioning.

The shutdown does not apply to economic activities involving important and socially critical infrastructure in the fields of health, transport and utilities (e.g. health care facilities, water supply, electricity, air transport, handling, maritime, land and rail transport), provided that the other technical and organisational measures of Circular No. 34666/03.06.2024 “Prevention of heat stress of workers” are taken, including the organisation of working time.

In case of non-compliance with the obligations of this document, the Labour Inspectorate, in accordance with Articles 23 and 24 of the Law on the Protection of Workers’ Health and Safety, will impose a penalty of. 3996/2011 (A’ 170), a fine of 2,000 euros per employee of the enterprise.

C. Provision of remote work by means of the teleworking system

For employees with a dependent employment relationship in the private sector who belong to high-risk groups (table in Annex 2 of Circular No. 34666/03.06.2024) and especially in cases of exposure to aggravating conditions in the areas of paragraph B of this Circular, enterprises should ensure that they are given the opportunity to work remotely, if this is feasible due to the nature of their work.

D. Exceptional measures for the organisation of working time

In order to counteract the thermal stress of workers in the areas referred to in paragraph B of this Circular and to facilitate workers in changing the time of their arrival and departure from work, employers may not register in advance in the “ERGANI” Information System any change in the organisation of working time

Today’s weather

Very good weather conditions and high temperatures will prevail throughout the country. During the warm hours of the day clouds will develop in the continental highlands.

The temperature will range in Western Macedonia from 16 to 34-36 degrees, in the rest of Macedonia and Thrace from 18 to 36-38 and locally 39 degrees, in Thessaly from 16 to 38-40 and locally 41 degrees, in Western Greece from 21 to 36-38 degrees, in the rest of the mainland from 22 to 37-39 and locally 40 degrees Celsius, in the Ionian Islands from 20 to 33-34 degrees, in the Aegean islands and Crete from 21 to 32-34 degrees, while in the East Aegean islands the maximum will reach locally 37-39 degrees Celsius.

In the eastern part of the island, in the south-eastern part of the Baltic Sea, the temperatures will be in the region of 37-37 degrees.

Winds in the Central, Eastern and Northern Aegean will blow from northwestern directions with intensities of 3-4 Beaufort and in the Southern Aegean west with intensities up to 6 Beaufort. In the Ionian Sea, winds will blow from westerly directions with intensities of 3-4 Beaufort.

In Attica we expect sunshine and intense heat. Winds will blow variable with intensities of 2-4 Beaufort. The temperature will range from 26 to 38-39 degrees.

In Thessaloniki we expect sunshine with a few clouds during the warm hours of the day. The winds will blow from the south mainly from southern directions with intensities 2-4 Beaufort. The temperature will range from 26 to 36 degrees.

The weather on Tuesday, July 8

Generally clear weather. Occasional clouds in the central and northern mountainous areas in the midday – afternoon hours.

Winds will blow west northwest 3 to 5 and gradually in the central and southern parts of the country locally 6 Beaufort.

The temperature will rise slightly further in the east and will be high. It is estimated that it will reach 39 to 40 degrees Celsius on the mainland and 41 to 42 degrees Celsius in some places in the east, 36 to 38 degrees Celsius on the Ionian Islands, the East Aegean Islands and the Dodecanese, while the minimum temperatures in urban centers will be around 27 to 29 degrees Celsius.

The weather on Wednesday, July 9

The weather will be generally clear. From the midday hours local clouds will develop in the northern mountainous areas, so it is possible that there will be occasional rain mainly in eastern Macedonia and Thrace.

The winds will blow west northwest 3 to 5 and in the southern seas locally 6 Beaufort. From the afternoon in the west and from the evening in the north will blow north-northwest and will reach locally 6 and possibly 7 Beaufort.

The temperature will drop slightly in the west, but will remain high in the rest of the country.

The weather on Thursday, July 10

In Halkidiki, eastern Macedonia, Thrace and possibly in the Sporades, partly cloudy with occasional showers or isolated thunderstorms, improving from the afternoon. In the rest of the country, generally clear weather with a few occasional clouds in the midday – afternoon hours in the continental highlands.

The winds will blow from the north 4 to 6 and in the sea locally 7 Beaufort.

The temperature will drop and only in the southeast will remain high.

The weather on Friday, July 11

Generally clear weather. From the midday hours on the mainland, mainly in the mountains, local clouds will develop and there will be occasional showers and in the north isolated thunderstorms.

The winds will blow from the north from 3 to 5 Beaufort, and in the sea locally 6 Beaufort.

The temperature will not change significantly.

Source: pagenews.gr