A Strong Cold Spell Grips Greece
A sharp drop in temperature of up to 10 degrees Celsius is unfolding across Greece as a powerful cold air mass settles over the country. Weather models from Meteo.gr indicate that northern regions are the first to feel the change before the chill expands steadily toward the south over the next days. Frost is expected early on January 12 and January 13, with the mercury dipping below zero even in low lying parts of central and northern Greece.
Many areas will see maximum temperatures locked in single digit levels, reinforcing a distinctly wintry atmosphere. Meteo.gr visualizations highlight significant cold air masses spreading over Greece at approximately 1,500 meters altitude, confirming both the strength and the persistence of the cold outbreak.
Kolydas Highlights Rapid Temperature Drop
Meteorologist Theodoros Kolydas reports that the weather shift brings an abrupt temperature decrease starting from the north and gradually affecting the whole country. Several central and northern regions will remain in single digit maximum temperatures, while the overall decrease is estimated to reach 10 degrees Celsius.
For Attica, Kolydas notes that snowfall is likely in Parnitha and Penteli, mainly from Sunday night into early Monday, with mountainous and semi mountainous zones expected to be affected first. He explains that light snow without accumulation cannot be ruled out, although predictions for northern suburbs remain uncertain at this stage.
Η αλλαγή του καιρού που ξεκινά από αύριο, Κυριακή, σηματοδοτεί πτώση της θερμοκρασίας, η οποία θα γίνει αρχικά αισθητή στα βόρεια και σταδιακά θα επεκταθεί και στην υπόλοιπη χώρα. Σε πολλές περιοχές των κεντρικών και βορείων ηπειρωτικών, οι μέγιστες τιμές θα κινηθούν σε μονοψήφια… — Theodoros Kolydas
Snow is also expected in Epirus from Sunday, and later in Halkidiki, the Sporades, Evia and Fthiotida as the Aegean moisture flow strengthens. The most intense snowfall is projected for Sunday evening and overnight, affecting Evia, Fthiotida and the Sporades.
EMY Forecast Signals Widespread Unsettled Weather
The national weather service EMY predicts dense cloud cover today along with scattered rain and storms, particularly in the Dodecanese where some events could be strong. Snowfall will occur in mountainous and northern semi mountainous areas, spreading to lower elevations in northeastern Greece during the night.
Strong winds will sweep across the country, reaching up to 8 Beaufort in several regions. Temperatures will struggle to exceed 06 to 08 degrees in the north, while the rest of the country will see readings from 09 to 15 degrees and up to 18 degrees in the Cyclades, Crete and the Dodecanese. Frost will develop in central and northern mainland areas.
Regional Forecasts
Attica will experience intervals of thick cloud and possible local showers by midday and afternoon, with winds shifting from southwest to north northwest later in the day. Thessaloniki is expected to see cloudiness, local rain and snowfall in nearby mountains before conditions improve by evening.
Macedonia and Thrace will face rain, isolated storms near coastal areas and snowfall in higher terrain, with snow extending to lower elevations in eastern regions overnight. The Ionian Islands, Epirus, western Sterea and the western Peloponnese will encounter rain and local storms early in the day, followed by improvement at night. Thessaly, eastern Sterea, Evia and eastern Peloponnese will see clouds, showers and isolated storms, along with snowfall in mountainous areas.
The Cyclades and Crete will see increased cloud cover, rain and sporadic storms, while the eastern Aegean islands and the Dodecanese will face rain and potentially strong thunderstorms.
Outlook For January 12
The Ionian Islands will see brief cloudiness clearing around midday. Western Macedonia, Epirus, western Sterea and the western Peloponnese will have morning rain or sleet followed by bright spells. Northern and eastern mainland regions, the northeastern Aegean, the Sporades, Thessaly, eastern Sterea, Evia and the eastern Peloponnese will face sleet, isolated storms at sea and temporary snowfall above roughly 300 meters. Eastern Macedonia and Thrace may see snow in lowland areas above 100 meters, with most phenomena subsiding by evening.
The Cyclades, Crete and the Dodecanese will experience showers, isolated storms and snowfall in mountainous zones. Winds will blow from the north at 5 to 6 Beaufort, reaching 7 to 8 Beaufort over the seas. A further temperature drop will deepen the cold nationwide, with northern lows between -03 and -05 degrees and between -06 and -10 degrees in the northwest. Maximum temperatures in the north will not exceed 05 degrees, while eastern mainland areas will reach 06 to 08 degrees and the west, Cyclades and Crete will reach 09 to 11 degrees. Frost will be severe and widespread across the mainland.
Forecast For January 13
Crete and the southern Aegean will see clouds, light rain and brief mountain snowfall before rapid improvement sets in. The rest of the country will enjoy mostly clear skies with occasional clouds. Northern winds of 4 to 6 Beaufort will persist, reaching 7 to 8 Beaufort in the southern Aegean before gradually weakening. Temperatures will rise slightly during the day, although frost will remain strong in central and northern mainland regions.
Forecast For January 14
Mostly clear skies with localized cloud patches are expected. Southern regions will experience northwest winds of 4 to 5 Beaufort, while elsewhere winds will remain light. Temperatures will climb modestly, but frost will still form in mainland areas early in the morning.
Forecast For January 15
Stable weather will continue with scattered clouds and locally reduced visibility during morning and evening hours. Eastern regions will see northerly winds of 3 to 5 Beaufort, while variable winds of 2 to 4 Beaufort will prevail in the west. Temperatures will hold steady, though frost will persist in parts of northwestern mainland Greece.
