Temperatures in Greece fluctuated at very high levels in winter 2022/2023 the National Observatory of Athens/meteo.gr announced on Friday.
According to the network of 53 meteorological stations of the National Observatory of Athens/meteo.gr that have been operating continuously since 2010 until today, the winter of 2022-2023 was the warmest for Northern Greece and the 3rd warmest for the rest of the regions.
The map shows the deviations of the average maximum temperature for the period December 2022 – February 2023 by geographical department.
In particular, Florina recorded the largest positive deviation of the average maximum winter temperature (+2.9 °C), followed by Kilkis, Lemnos, Trikala and Thessaloniki with positive deviations of more than 2 °C. More than 60 days (out of a total of 90 in winter) with temperatures higher than normal for the season were recorded in all geographical divisions.
The following table shows the highest deviations of the average maximum temperature recorded this winter, as well as the number of days with a maximum temperature higher than the average value of the period 2010-2019.
As far as the mountains of our country are concerned, ten weather stations of the National Observatory of Athens/meteo.gr operate at altitudes greater than 1500 meters and provide a real-time picture of the conditions in some of the coldest regions of Greece.
The table below shows the lowest minimum temperature, the total number of frost days, and the longest continuous period of total frost during the period December 2022 – February 2023. A total frost day is defined as a day when the temperature is continuously negative. The minimum temperature in the sinkhole* Parnassos Deep (-23.9 °C) stands out. The longest continuous period of total frost occurred in Sesi Parnassos** and is equal to 22 consecutive days.
Although several days with total frost were recorded at these stations, their number this winter is significantly below the average of recent years. The example of the highest station of the network in Greece is typical. Kaimaktsalan, where only 34 days of total frost were recorded (most after January 9), while the 2009-2022 average is 53 days of total frost during winter.
source: meteo.gr
The incredible variation in winter (and summer!) weather is a global phenomenon, and not restricted to Greece (as most of us know). That said, the total amount of snow, combined with the spring temps and humidity, will determine how much water is available for agriculture and domestic uses. I’d guess that the Greek meteorological group/society/organization is paying attention… or are they asleep at the wheel like the train service? God knows that that the extreme lack of meritocracy in Greece has ramifications throughout society. And the scientific community is *at least* as bad as the train operators… but the consequences are not (yet) as dire or extreme. Hang on tight, Greece. Time to get your shit together, systemically.