Greece Braces for Relentless Heatwave: Mercury Soars Beyond 44°C

Greece remains under an Emergency Weather Alert issued by the National Meteorological Service (EMY), as the ongoing heatwave shows no signs of retreat before early next week. With maximum temperatures expected to reach 44°C in western regions and hot nights offering little relief, the EMY has officially upgraded the warning to an Extreme Weather Hazard Bulletin.

According to the revised EMY bulletin released today, the intense heat will persist through Sunday, July 27, while a gradual cooldown is expected to begin Monday (July 28) starting from the northwest.

Key Points of the Emergency Bulletin:

• Minimum nighttime temperatures will remain unusually high — around 28°C to 29°C, especially in urban areas, leading to so-called “tropical nights.”
• Strong northern winds (6–7 Beaufort) are forecast from Friday afternoon through Saturday, particularly over the Aegean Sea, intensifying the wildfire threat across multiple regions.

Forecast Highlights:

Today (July 24):

• Mainland Greece: 39–41°C, locally up to 42–43°C in Thessaly, Central Greece, and the Peloponnese.
• Athens: 41–42°C | Thessaloniki: 39–40°C
• Aegean Islands & Dodecanese: 39–41°C
• Ionian Islands & Crete: 37–39°C

Friday (July 25):

• Mainland: Up to 43–44°C in western Greece
• Athens: 41–42°C | Thessaloniki: 38–39°C
• Southern Crete & Ionian islands: 39–41°C

Saturday (July 26):

• Mainland: Up to 44°C in the west; eastern parts slightly cooler
• Athens: 41–42°C | Thessaloniki: 38–39°C
• Aegean & Crete: Up to 40°C

Sunday (July 27):

• Slight dip, but temperatures remain high, especially in the east
• Athens: 40–41°C | Thessaloniki: 37–38°C

 Increased Fire Danger

The combination of extreme heat, persistent drought conditions, and strong winds is creating critical fire risk levels, especially in southern and island regions. Authorities urge extreme caution, particularly near forests, dry grasslands, and agricultural areas.

Health authorities have also reiterated warnings, especially for vulnerable populations — the elderly, children, and individuals with chronic illnesses — urging citizens to avoid unnecessary exposure, stay hydrated, and limit strenuous activity during peak midday hours.

“This heatwave is one of the most intense and prolonged in recent years,” a senior EMY meteorologist noted. “The persistence of both daytime and nighttime temperatures at such elevated levels poses serious health and environmental risks.”

Source: pagenews.gr