Meteorologist Giorgos Tsatrafyllias warned that the worst of storm "Adel" will occur on Thursday and Friday. In a social-media post he said the system will bring very intense characteristics including torrential downpours, high rainfall totals, hail and locally severe thunderstorms (G. Tsatrafyllias).
According to Tsatrafyllias, beyond western Greece and the southern Peloponnese, the storm will hit particularly hard (Thursday–Friday) in: Serres, Drama, Xanthi, Kavala, Rhodope, Evros, Lemnos, Lesvos, Chios, Samos — and marginally Chalkidiki and the Dodecanese. He also warned that maritime connections will be affected, mainly in the Aegean on Thursday and in the southern Ionian Sea (G. Tsatrafyllias). He added that no cold snap is expected and snow is only likely at high elevations.
Red Code preparedness: four regions placed on highest alert
The General Secretariat for Civil Protection placed the Regions of the Ionian Islands, Epirus, Western Greece and the Peloponnese — and their municipalities — in a state of readiness with "Red Code" from Wednesday 26/11 through Friday, following an upgrade of the hazardous weather bulletin by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY) and the recommendation of the Risk Assessment Committee (General Secretariat for Civil Protection / Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection). Authorities said additional regions may be placed on Red Code tomorrow depending on developments.
Risk Assessment Committee meeting and expected evolution
On 25/11 the Secretary General of Civil Protection, Nikos Papaefstathiou, convened the Risk Assessment Committee to evaluate the situation. Committee scientists forecast:
1) Wednesday (26/11): strong rain and thunderstorms over western Greece — especially the northwest — and from the evening into eastern Macedonia.
2) Thursday (27/11): particularly intense rain and storms in western Greece, central and eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
The Unified Operations and Crisis Management Coordination Centre (E.S.K.E.DI.K.) will contact first- and second-level local authorities to hold immediate Civil Protection meetings and place services and agencies on operational readiness. The Committee will meet again tomorrow to reassess the storm’s spread on Friday (General Secretariat for Civil Protection).
Civil-protection recommendations for citizens
The General Secretariat of Civil Protection urges citizens in areas expecting heavy rain, thunderstorms or gale-force winds to take precautions:
Secure objects that could be swept away and cause damage or injury.
Ensure gutters and downspouts are clear and working.
Do not cross torrents or streams on foot or by vehicle during storms or for several hours afterwards; be extra cautious where roads cross streambeds without bridges.
Avoid outdoor work and marine/coastal activities during severe weather (risk of lightning).
Seek immediate shelter during hailstorms — in a building or vehicle — and remain there until the storm has passed; hail can be dangerous for people and animals.
Avoid walking under large trees, hanging signs or balconies where lightweight objects (pots, broken glass, etc.) could fall.
Follow instructions from local authorities (police, civil protection).
If there is intense lightning activity, further advice:
At home: do not use wired electrical devices or the telephone; disconnect TVs from the antenna and mains. Avoid touching plumbing (sinks, showers), which can conduct electricity.
In a car: stop safely away from trees that may fall, stay inside with hazard lights on, close windows and avoid touching metal surfaces; avoid flooded roads.
Outdoors: seek shelter in a building or vehicle; if no shelter is available, crouch low with head between knees to minimize contact area, avoid lying flat, stay away from tall isolated trees, utility poles, fences, bodies of water and metal objects. If hair stands on end (sign of imminent strike), drop metal objects and sit low.
(Recommendations: General Secretariat for Civil Protection)
EMY "Red" warning and forecast details
The Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY) issued an urgent bulletin saying rain and thunderstorms that began on Tuesday (25/11) over the western–northwestern country will intensify in the coming hours and in the north Ionian — mainly the Corfu area — and coastal Epirus; locally intense phenomena are expected (EMY).
Key points from EMY:
Wednesday (26/11): strong rains and thunderstorms are forecast for the Ionian islands (Corfu, Diapontia islands, Paxoi) and Epirus; during the afternoon they will extend to Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca, Zakynthos, Aetolia-Acarnania, and western and southern Peloponnese; from the night they will reach eastern Macedonia.
Thursday (27/11) — weather system "ADEL": very strong rains and thunderstorms expected across many areas of western and northern Greece and the eastern Aegean, with local hail and very strong winds at times. Specifically, Thursday’s heavy storms are forecast for the Ionian islands, Epirus, western and central Sterea, western and southern Peloponnese, and central & eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
Friday (28/11): strong rains and thunderstorms expected in central and eastern Macedonia, Thrace, the eastern Aegean and, until early morning, parts of western Greece.
(EMY — Hellenic National Meteorological Service)
Authorities ask residents, local governments and emergency services to remain alert and follow official updates as conditions evolve.
