Greece weather forecast: Warmest January in 50 years, 15C higher than normal

Greece is forecast to experience some of its highest January temperatures of the last 50 years, the national weather services said on Friday. Temperatures will be as much as 15 degrees Celsius higher than the seasonal normal for this time of year.

Greece is expected to be among the countries of the central and eastern Mediterranean that will see unusually warm weather over the coming weekend.

The warm spell will be part of a pattern of extreme weather phenomena that will divide Europe on January 9 and 10, as cold air masses spread to unusually low latitudes over Western Europe and northwest Africa, pushing very warm air masses eastward, toward Greece.

Divided Europe by Greece’s chief meteorologist.

H Ευρώπη των καιρικών αντιθέσεων . Η περατέρω εξέλιξη του καιρού μετά το κύμα ζέστης του ερχόμενου Σαββατοκύριακου https://t.co/lKW7ARjc8gη-ευρώπη-των-καιρικών-αντιθέσεων/ pic.twitter.com/rtnQ3EdN0x

— KolydasΤ (@KolydasT) January 8, 2021

This is expected to bring heavy snow to the Iberian Peninsula and the Northern Balkans, as well as heavy rains in southern Spain, Morocco and the Western Balkans, possibly resulting in flash flooding.

Greece is forecast to experience some of its highest January temperatures of the last 50 years, matched only by those on January 29, 1987 when over 25°C was recorded in southern Greece and 22.6°C in Athens. Also January 1, 2010 was the hottest on record since measurements began in the 19th century and reached as high as 30.4°C on Crete.

According to Director of National Meteorological Service, Thodoris Kolydas, temperatures is expected to reach 25° C in northern Crete on Sunday, Jan 10.

However, snowfallsd are forecast in Greece also as of middle next week.

Έντονες οι χιονοπτώσεις στην Ιβηρική και τη Βόρεια Ιταλία το επόμενο διήμερο και περιορισμένες στη Βόρεια Βαλκανική. Απο τα μέσα της ερχόμενης εβδομάδος το σκηνικό του καιρού θα αλλάξει και θα έχουμε χιονοπτώσεις και στην χώρα μας@News247gr @Deltiokairou @Starchannelnew1 pic.twitter.com/c5yTCFECUL

— KolydasΤ (@KolydasT) January 8, 2021

However, as of the mid-next week, the weather will change also in Greece and snowfalls are forecast.