Northern Greece

A castle on a strategic position in Macedonia

"Athena" continues its offensive in Greece having already created problems in several areas. The Ionian islands, Epirus and Achaia were inundated in the last few hours by the rains and storms, with the citizens facing the fury of nature.

Turkey urged Greece early on Sept. 24 to cancel a circular restricting Muslim students and teachers from performing their religious duties. 

Heatwave conditions with maximum temperatures at 42C-44C and a strong feeling of discomfort in urban centers are forecast for Saturday, according to the meteorological service of the National Observatory of Athens.

The same temperatures are expected on Sunday, while temperatures will rise further next week.

Greece's National Meteorological Service (EMY) warned on Saturday of storms and strong winds which are expected to hit the country as of Sunday, starting from the western regions.

The National Observatory of Athens' Meteo weather service has forecast thunderstorms and snowfall in several parts of the country, with temperatures dropping into the single digits and below.

In response to the government's plans to introduce a minimum university entrance grade, the Rectors' Synod on Friday said it will get on board as long as the expected drop in admissions does not affect funding. 

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had to call off a mini-tour of western Macedonia on Saturday.

His office said the trip was canceled due to dense fog that would have prevented the prime minister's airplane from landing at Thessaloniki airport.

There are 11 areas in Greece close to "red alert" status due to the rising rate of coronavirus infections and the government is considering tighter local lockdowns, Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias said Wednesday.

Apart from the Western Attica regional unit, all others are in central and northern Greece.

Turkey slammed Greece on Aug. 11 over systematically closing down Turkish minority schools in the country's Western Thrace region, depriving the minority of the education of their choosing.