The first heatwave of the summer has arrived in full force and is peaking today, with temperatures in some parts of the country reaching as high as 41°C.

According to meteorologist Tasos Arniakos, today the mercury will hit “red levels.” He specifically noted that in Attica and Larissa, temperatures are expected to reach 41°C.

Temperatures are forecast to reach 40°C in Argos, Karditsa, Patras, Agrinio, and Pyrgos. However, starting at midday, thunderstorms are expected in mountainous areas of Macedonia and Thessaly. Winds will strengthen and may reach up to 8 Beaufort in the Aegean Sea, increasing the fire risk.

Tsatrafyllias: Tropical Night with Temperatures Above 25°C

Meteorologist Giorgos Tsatrafyllias speaks of a “tropical night,” explaining that nighttime temperatures will remain above 25°C in specific cities.

According to Alpha TV’s meteorologist:
“The term ‘tropical nights’ refers to nights when the minimum temperature does not fall below 25°C. This phenomenon is associated with:

• High daytime temperatures that fail to cool sufficiently by night
• High humidity and lack of wind, limiting nocturnal cooling
• Urban heat island effect, where materials in buildings and roads retain and emit heat during the night
• Sustained high temperatures (e.g., 40°C during the day, 25–30°C at night) cause notable strain on the human body

On Friday night, temperatures will not drop below 25°C in the following cities:
Athens, Larissa, Thessaloniki, Agrinio, Serres, Kilkis, Drama, Orestiada, and others.”

Marousakis: Thunderstorms and Downpours After the Heatwave

A significant weather shift is expected after today’s heatwave. According to meteorologist Klearchos Marousakis, “following this intense heatwave, nature will try to restore balance by sending cooler air masses that will lower temperatures to more tolerable levels.” However, he warns this transition “will not be gentle.”

He adds:
“As seen in the temperature chart for Athens (as an example), a notable drop is expected—from 38–39°C to around 30–32°C. This suggests a violent clash between hot and cold air masses in the troposphere.”

What follows:
“Storm fronts, showers, and locally intense thunderstorms, forecasted to occur tomorrow afternoon and evening, especially in central and northern regions.”

• Gradual strengthening of northerly winds on Saturday and more so on Sunday, especially in the Aegean and temporarily in the northern Ionian.

For the upcoming week:
“Starting Sunday, conditions will stabilize into typical summer weather—tolerable heat and northerly meltemi winds.”

Emergency Measures for Private Sector Workers – Work Suspension and Remote Work

The Ministry of Labor has announced emergency measures to combat heat stress for private sector workers, as the heatwave is expected to continue through Friday.

Following a meeting with the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, the Ministry issued a circular with the following provisions:

Mandatory suspension of outdoor work activities

For employees in areas where particularly high temperatures are forecast by the National Meteorological Service (EMY)—namely Attica, Thessaly, and the regional units of Kilkis, Serres, Viotia, Argolida, Ilia, and Aetolia-Acarnania—outdoor manual labor must be suspended on Friday, June 27, 2025, from 12:00 to 17:00.

This applies to all types of employment, including those working via digital platforms under Article 68 of Law 4808/2021.

In delivery services, all businesses conducting deliveries—whether via physical stores or digital platforms—must comply. However, takeaway service remains allowed, as well as delivery using air-conditioned vehicles (excluding any form of two-wheeled or moped vehicles as defined by Law 2696/1999).

Suspension does not apply to economically or socially critical sectors (e.g., healthcare, utilities, transport), provided other required technical and organizational measures are in place as per Circular No. 34666/03.06.2024.

Non-compliance may result in a €2,000 fine per employee, as enforced by the Labor Inspectorate under Articles 23 and 24 of Law 3996/2011.

Remote work options

For private sector employees in high-risk groups (as per Appendix 2 of Circular 34666/03.06.2024), particularly those exposed to aggravating conditions in the aforementioned areas, employers must enable teleworking where the nature of work allows it.

Flexible work hours

To help mitigate heat stress, employers may adjust employee work hours (arrival and departure) without prior declaration to the ERGANI information system.

High Temperatures in Attica Basin Even at Night – 33°C in Central Athens

Temperatures remain high during the night in many parts of the country, especially in large urban areas, where the mercury does not fall below 30°C.

The following maps from meteo.gr / National Observatory of Athens show air temperatures and discomfort indices at 22:15 on Thursday, June 26, across Attica.

Most of the Attica Basin—home to a large portion of the population—is experiencing nighttime temperatures above 33°C, posing serious health risks, particularly to vulnerable groups.

Heatwave Peaks: Temperatures to Reach 41°C Today, “Tropical Night” in 8 Areas

• Image 1: Air temperature on Thursday 26/06 at 10 p.m. in the Attica region, based on data from the network of automatic weather stations of meteo.gr / National Observatory of Athens.
• Image 2: Discomfort index on Thursday 26/06 at 10 p.m. in the Attica region, based on data from the same source.

Today’s Weather Forecast

Scattered clouds expected over the mainland, gradually becoming denser. From midday, local showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected in mountainous inland regions. Sunny conditions in island areas. Slightly increased dust concentrations mainly in western and northern Greece.

Temperature ranges:

• Western Macedonia: 18–35°C
• Rest of Macedonia & Thrace: 22–39°C
• Thessaly: 24–41°C
• Epirus: 22–37°C
• Central Greece & Peloponnese: 21–39°C
• Ionian Islands: 22–37°C
• North & East Aegean Islands: 23–41°C
• Cyclades: 23–36°C
• Dodecanese: 18–37°C
• Crete: 21–37°C

Winds:

• Central & North Aegean: North 3–5 Beaufort
• South Aegean: West to northwest 3–5 Beaufort
• Ionian: Northwest 3–5 Beaufort

Athens:
Clear skies, north winds 2–4 Beaufort, temperatures 28–39°C.

Thessaloniki:
Initially sunny, clouds developing by noon, variable winds up to 3 Beaufort, temperatures 28–37°C, slightly elevated dust levels.

Saturday, June 28 Weather

• In Macedonia and Thrace: Intermittent clouds with local showers, and scattered afternoon thunderstorms especially in Thrace and eastern Macedonia.
• Elsewhere: Mostly clear skies initially, with temporary clouds and local showers or thunderstorms in the mainland during midday and afternoon hours.

Winds: Northerly 4–6 Beaufort, up to 7 in the Aegean.
Temperatures: Drop by 2–3°C, reaching 36–38°C in parts of the Ionian and mainland.

Sunday, June 29 Weather

• Eastern Macedonia, Thrace, eastern Thessaly, Sporades, eastern Central Greece, Euboea, and eastern/southern Peloponnese: Passing clouds with local rain until midday.
• Elsewhere: Generally clear with occasional clouds in Crete.

Winds:

• West: Northerly 4–6 Beaufort
• East: Northerly 5–7 Beaufort, reaching 8 locally in the Aegean and up to 9 in Cyclades, Crete, Dodecanese, and East Aegean islands.

Temperatures: Noticeable drop.