Extreme heatwave with temperatures up to and over 43 degrees Celsius, Sahara dust and high humidity create a very unpleasant atmosphere in large parts of Greece on Thursday, June 13, 2024.
At the same time, the risk of wildfires is very high in at least regions with the state mechanism to be on high alert.
The center of Greek capital Athens seems abandoned with several shops to have close already in the morning. Only tourists and Greeks who rushed to fix some urgent issues appear to be on the streets.
With the public sector to work flexibly and primary schools & kindergartens closed due to the heatwave, many rushed to the nearest beaches.
Check here on KTG: Measures against the heatwave in Greece.
On the second day of the peak of the heatwave, the highest temperatures are expected in several regions of the country, including Greek capital Athens
However, mercury skyrocketed already before the peak hour which is 3 o’ clock in the afternoon.
According to the network of automatic weather stations of meteo.gr/ Athens National Observatory, the maximum temperature in Greece on Thursday until 12 o’ clock noon reached almost 44 degrees Celsius, while the highest temperatures this morning were recorded in Crete and the Peloponnese.
The 5 regions in Greece with the highest temperatures, at 12 pm, were the following:
Kranidi 43.9 degrees Celsius
Plaora Heraklion 42.2 degrees Celsius
Voukolies Chania 43.3 degrees Celsius
Alikianos Chania 42.3 degrees Celsius
Gortyna Heraklion 42.6 degrees Celsius
Argolis twins 42.7 degrees Celsius
Chania Akrotiri 43.1 degrees Celsius
Agioi Pantes Chania 42.4 degrees Celsius
According to meteorologist of ANT1 TV, temperatures before 12 noon reached 40 degrees Celsius in several islands of the Cyclades group in the central Aegean Sea
Sahara Dust June 13-14
Wildfires risk
Regions and Prefectures:
- – Thessaly: Larissa, Magnisia
- – Sterea Ellada: Viotia, Fthiotida, Fokida
- – Attica
- – Peloponnese: Corinth, Argolida
Wildfire risk on Friday, June 14
- Thessaly: Magnisia
- Sterea: Viotia, Fthiotida, Fokida
- Attica
- Peloponnese: Corinth, Argolida
- Crete: Heraklio, Rethymno, Chania
“The early onset of the heatwaves, combined with the dry winter, present us with an extremely difficult fire fighting season,” said Civil Protection and Climate Crisis minister Vassilis Kikilias.
Meanwhile, the Attica Forest Fire Protection Volunteers (EDASA) group announced the start of fire watch patrols on the mountain of Parnitha in north-western Attica and called on volunteers to join the effort of protecting one of the Greek capital’s most valuable natural habitats.
Highest Temperatures on June 12
The automated network of meteorological stations registered very high temperatures in Greece on Wednesday, June 12, during the heatwave expected to last to Friday.
According to the meteo.gr/National Observatory of Athens, the highest temperature was registered at Lefkochori in Fthiotida, Central Greece: 43.2C (109.76F), followed by Sparta, with 43.1C (109.58F) .
The average high temperature in Greece was 36.1C (96.98F), while 228 of 509 active weather stations registered temperatures of over 37C (98.6F).
At 51 meteorological stations, temperatures rose above 40C (104F).
FORECAST
The extreme temperatures are forecast to drop as of tomorrow Friday, June 14, the last day of the heatwave.
Northern winds and further drop are expected as of Saturday, June 15, 2024.
PS Don’t be bold! Put bowls of fresh water for strays! Check with elderly relatives and neighbors!
