Greece’s National Meteorological Service EMY updated on Sunday the weather warning issued a day earlier. At the same time, gale-force winds caused extensive problems in western Crete, while intense Sahara dust have created eerie images.
Weather Warning Update
According to the EMY’s update of the Weather Warning bulletin of Saturday, May 24, 2025, further weather deterioration is forecast on Sunday, May 25, in central and northern Greece with heavy rainfalls and storms locally.
Affected regions are:
- a. Sterea, Thessaly and northern Evia from early afternoon and until the evening.
- b. Central Macedonia from early afternoon and until late at night.
- c. The Sporades in the evening and night hours.
- d. Eastern Macedonia, Thrace and the northeastern Aegean Sea from early evening until the early morning hours of Monday, May 26, 2025.
Rain forecast Sunday evening – early morning hours of Monday via meteo.gr
Rainstorms and strong Sahara Dust affected also Athens, Patras and other cities, however, this did not hinder Greeks from enjoying Sunday lunch in a wet balcony, watching a curtain of raindrops.
The Sahara Dust is forecast to move away from Greece also as of Monday.
Strong winds cause extensive problems in western Crete
Strong winds blowing in Chania and Rethymno in western Crete have caused a number of problems since Sunday morning, with reports of fallen trees and branches blocking roads and causing other problems in neighborhoods as well as problems for incoming flights to the airports of these two cities.
Strong winds bring down power pole.
According to local media , at least ten flights from Germany, the Netherlands and Thessaloniki had problems with landing and were diverted to Athens and Kos.
Fire Service, Greek Police and local authorities have advised members of the public, pedestrians and drivers of all types of vehicles to be exceptionally cautious and avoid traveling about unless it is essential.
In addition to fallen trees on main roads and in towns, two power utility poles were fallen in Parigoria.
The parks department in the municipality of Rethymno also decided to close the Rethymno Municipal Gardens to all visitors on Sunday, as a precaution due to the strong winds and the chance of injury from falling trees and branches.
On Saturday, a tourist was slightly injured at the port of Chania, when the strong southern winds swept away a clay flower pot. The woman was transferred to the General Hospital with an ambulance – via zarpanews.gr
The municipality also issued an air quality warning due to the high levels of African dust in the atmosphere, especially for people with health issues, respiratory problems or high-risk individuals.
Sahara Dust in Chania and Heraklio on Sunday via local media.
Kindergartens and primary schools will reportedly remain closed in Phaistos Municipality due to the Sahara Dust.
On Saturday Crete recorded highest temperatures for the season, reaching 39.6°C in Heraklio and 39.3°C & 39.0°C in Chania.
May is almost gone, things can only get better…
