Weather: How we’ll spend Christmas – Storms, cold, and snow starting today

The weather will worsen today and tomorrow, with locally heavy rainfall, thunderstorms mainly in maritime and coastal areas, locally gale-force winds over the seas, snowfalls in mountainous regions, and temporarily in semi-mountainous areas of central and northern Greece, especially in the northwest.

Emergency Weather Bulletin by EMY

A. On Monday (23-12-2024), heavy rains and maritime-coastal thunderstorms are forecast:

1. Initially in the northwest (northern Ionian, Epirus) and quickly in western Sterea, the remaining Ionian areas, and western Peloponnese. By evening, the phenomena will weaken in the northwest.
2. From the afternoon, in eastern Macedonia, Thrace, the eastern Aegean islands, the Dodecanese, and Crete (mainly western and southern Crete). From midday Tuesday (24-12-2024), the phenomena will be confined to the Dodecanese and weaken.

B. On Monday (23-12-2024), locally in the Ionian and later in the day in the Aegean, gale-force southerly to southwesterly winds are expected.

C. Snowfalls will occur on Monday (23-12-2024) in the mountainous mainland and locally in semi-mountainous areas of central and northern Greece, temporarily heavy, especially in western Macedonia. Snowfalls will continue on Tuesday (24-12-2024) with diminishing intensity, particularly after midday.

Christmas with Snow and Extremely Low Temperatures
More specifically, as meteorologist Yiannis Kallianos stated on MEGA, the weather evolution in the coming days is of particular interest, as the intense weather front will impact most regions of the country.

According to the meteorologist, the bad weather will start on Monday from western Greece, bringing showers, thunderstorms, and localized hail, while dense snow is expected to fall mainly at high altitudes, particularly above 1,000 meters. Later, the phenomena will extend to the rest of the country, including Athens.

Rain is expected across the entire country, accompanied by strong winds at 6-8 Beaufort, and in some areas, reaching 9. There’s also a possibility of a ban on ship routes to and from the Aegean, Kallianos added.

Looking Ahead to Tuesday and Christmas
On Tuesday and Christmas Day, the meteorologist predicts rain, but less intense compared to Monday, while mountainous areas will be covered with dense snow.

Polar Air Masses from Northwestern Europe
Meteorologist Klearchos Marousakis also commented on the distinctly wintry weather pattern after two years of a mild winter. He attributes the oncoming bad weather to polar air masses descending from northwestern Europe.

The phenomena will begin today, with snow expected not only in mountainous areas but also in northwestern Greece, starting at 500-600 meters—enough to cause difficulties for travelers. Drivers are urged to use snow chains, he said on OPEN.

The bad weather will persist over the coming days, with snow continuing even on Christmas Day, while temperatures will range from 2 degrees Celsius in northwestern Greece to 15 degrees—the highest— in southern Greece.

Recommendation for Snow Chains
Regarding the imminent worsening of the weather, Vassilis Kikilias stated, “Our strong recommendation throughout the holiday season is to carry snow chains, especially if traveling in mountainous or semi-mountainous regions.”

The Hellenic Police (EL.AS.) issued a statement, warning citizens to be cautious.

The announcement reads: “In light of the impending deterioration in weather conditions across the country, the Hellenic Police Headquarters advises citizens, especially drivers residing in or traveling through areas expected to experience or intensify weather phenomena, to exercise caution while traveling and ensure their vehicles are equipped with snow chains.”

“Stay Informed About Weather and Road Conditions”
The statement also urges compliance with traffic police instructions and emphasizes the importance of staying updated about the weather and road network conditions.

Finally, the announcement reminds: “Up-to-date information on road closures and useful road safety tips related to bad weather and severe weather conditions is available on a special banner on the Hellenic Police website.”

Today’s Weather
Initially, localized rain and sporadic thunderstorms are expected in western Greece, Crete, and the eastern parts of the Aegean. By midday, the phenomena will intensify and spread across the country. In Epirus, the midday phenomena will be particularly intense. Snowfalls will initially occur in mountainous mainland areas and, from the afternoon, in western Macedonia.

Temperatures:

• Western Macedonia: -4°C to 5°C
• Rest of Macedonia and Thrace: -3°C to 11°C
• Thessaly: 0°C to 13°C
• Epirus and Western Sterea: 2°C to 14°C
• Rest of Sterea: 0°C to 14°C
• Peloponnese: 2°C to 15°C
• Ionian Islands: 10°C to 15°C
• Northern and Eastern Aegean Islands: 6°C to 14°C
• Cyclades: 7°C to 15°C
• Dodecanese: 12°C to 15°C
• Crete: 9°C to 18°C

Winds:

• Central and Northern Aegean: Initially southwesterly at 2-4 Beaufort, turning southerly at 5-7 Beaufort, locally 8.
• Southern Aegean: Initially westerly at 2-4 Beaufort, turning southerly at 5-7 Beaufort.
• Ionian: Initially southwesterly at 3-5 Beaufort, strengthening to 6 Beaufort, turning westerly at 5-7 Beaufort from midday.

Athens Forecast
Cloudy skies are expected, with rain and possibly thunderstorms after midday. Winds will initially blow from the west at up to 3 Beaufort, shifting to southerly at 3-5 Beaufort and locally 6 Beaufort in the evening, turning southwesterly at 3-5 Beaufort. Temperatures in central Athens will range from 7°C to 14°C.

Thessaloniki Forecast
Cloudy skies are expected, with rain from midday onward. Winds will initially blow from the east at up to 3 Beaufort, increasing to 4-6 Beaufort by morning. In the evening, winds will turn southerly at 3-5 Beaufort and southwesterly at 2-4 Beaufort. Temperatures in central Thessaloniki will range from 4°C to 11°C.

Tuesday (24/12) Forecast
In western Greece, northeastern mainland, the eastern Aegean islands, the Dodecanese, Cyclades, and Crete, expect clouds with rain and sporadic thunderstorms. The phenomena will be locally intense in northeastern mainland areas, eastern Aegean sections, and Crete. Elsewhere, unsettled weather with localized rain. Snowfalls will occur in mountainous mainland areas and temporarily in Crete’s mountains and semi-mountainous areas in Macedonia.

Winds will blow westerly at 4-6 Beaufort, occasionally reaching 7 Beaufort in the seas, gradually turning northerly in central and northern areas.

Temperatures will drop, especially in western, central, and northern areas, where they will not exceed 9-12°C (6-8°C in the northwest), while other regions will reach 12-15°C, and southeastern island areas will hit 16-17°C. Frost will occur in central and northern areas during the morning and evening, locally severe in the northwest.

Christmas Day Forecast
In eastern and southern mainland areas and the Aegean, increased cloud cover with localized rain and marine thunderstorms. Localized snowfalls will occur in mountainous mainland areas, Evia, Crete, and temporarily in semi-mountainous regions of northern Greece. Elsewhere, partly cloudy skies. Morning visibility will be locally limited in western mainland areas.

Winds will be northerly-northeasterly at 4-6 Beaufort, variable at 4 Beaufort in southeastern areas.

Temperatures will drop slightly, especially in eastern mainland and Aegean areas. In central and northern regions, highs will not exceed 8-11°C, while in other areas, they’ll reach 12-14°C. Southeastern islands may see temperatures of 15-16°C. Frost will be widespread in inland areas during morning and evening hours, locally severe in the northwest.

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