Significant change in the weather is expected from Saturday and especially from the new week, as, according to the National Weather Service and the latest forecast data, the country re-enters a phase of clear winter, with a drop in temperature, strengthening cold air masses, and snowfall descending to lower altitudes.

“Turning the switch to winter”

As meteorologist Klearchos Marousakis points out in his forecast, from Saturday, the weather changes character again, with the cold becoming more intense and snow descending low, signalling a clear return to winter conditions.

According to the data analyzed, the temperature will drop significantly, while weather conditions will favor snowfall not only in the mountains, but also in mountainous areas, depending on the development of barometric systems.

Europe is on a “clear winter track”

The meteorologist Thodoris Kolydas is on the same wavelength, who points out in a post that the atmosphere over Europe is re-entering a clear winter orbit from next week.

He says large-scale atmospheric circulations indicate a transfer of cold air masses to the northeast of the continent, while the Mediterranean remains thermally active and ready to fuel the development of barometric lows.

In this “dynamic collision field” of cold and humidity, the weather in Greece is expected to acquire strong winter characteristics, reminding – as noted – that winter is not only present, but is entering its most essential stage.

What the forecasts show for the second half of January

According to an analysis of the available forecast data, the data converge on a clear winter scenario for the second half of January. This is not, as meteorologists stress, a simple transition period, but conditions where “atmospheric physics takes over again.”

The next few days are expected to be accompanied by low temperatures, an increased possibility of snowfall, and generally weather reminiscent of the classic Greek winter, with the relevant authorities recommending increased caution, especially in areas often affected by frost and snow.

The weather today

In the Ionian Islands, East Aegean, and Crete, there will be partly cloudy skies, giving light local showers. In the rest of the country, a few clouds are expected, which will increase from the northeast. Rains will occur initially in eastern Macedonia and Thrace, gradually in the northern and northeastern Aegean, and from the afternoon in central Macedonia, Thessaly, Sporades, Evia, and locally in the eastern mainland. Snow will fall in mountainous areas, but towards the evening, snowfall will also occur in the lowland parts of Thrace. At night and early in the morning in the mountains and in the northern continent, frost will occur. During the morning and evening hours, visibility will be limited in many areas, and fog will form.

In the morning and early evening hours, visibility will be limited in many areas, and fog will form.

The temperature will range in Western Macedonia and the plateau of Nefrokopi from -6 to 9-10 degrees, in the rest of Macedonia and Thrace from -2 to 11-13 degrees, in Epirus from 2 to 12-13 degrees, in the central continent from 0 to 13-15 degrees, in the rest of the mainland from 2 to 15-17 degrees Celsius, in the Ionian Islands from 4 to 13-14 degrees Celsius, in the islands of the North and Northeast Aegean from 4 to 14 degrees Celsius and in the rest of the Aegean islands and in Crete from 6 to 16-18 degrees Celsius.

In the North Aegean Sea, east northeast winds with intensities of 2-3 Beaufort, increasing from noon to 4-5 Beaufort and in the evening to 6-7 Beaufort. In the rest of the Aegean Sea, initially light winds of various directions will blow, but from the afternoon, northeasterly winds will prevail with intensities of 4-5 Beaufort. In the Ionian Sea, southeast winds will initially blow with intensities of 3-4 Beaufort, but in the afternoon, they will shift to easterly winds and will locally increase to 5 Beaufort.

In the prefecture of Attica and in the city of Athens, we expect a few clouds which will increase in the afternoon, and towards the end of the day, there will be local rain, mainly in the north and east. At night, it will snow in Parnitha. Winds will be light and from the afternoon northeast with intensities of 3-5 Beaufort. The temperature will range from 7 to 16 degrees Celsius.

In Thessaloniki, we expect a few clouds that will gradually increase. Late in the evening, there will be light rain and in the mountains light snowfall. Early in the morning, visibility will be limited. The winds will be light, with a tension of 3-4 Beaufort, and from the afternoon onwards easterly with a tension of 3-4 Beaufort. Temperatures will range from 3 to 13 degrees, but peripheral to the city the minimums will be 2-3 degrees lower.

The weather on Saturday, January 17

In the eastern mainland, the northern Aegean islands and Evia, increasing clouds with local rain or sleet and light snowfall in the mountains, as well as in semi-mountainous areas of central and eastern Macedonia and Thrace. In the rest of the country, a few clouds, partly cloudy with local rain and possibly isolated thunderstorms on the Ionian Islands (from Kefalonia and further south), the western Peloponnese, the Cyclades, and Crete.

Winds will blow in the west, east southeast 4 to 6 Beaufort, in the east north northeast 5 to 6 Beaufort, in the Aegean 7, and from the afternoon in the south locally 8 Beaufort.

The temperature will drop, mainly in terms of maximum values, and in the northern mainland will not exceed 06 to 08 degrees Celsius, and in the rest of the mainland, 09 to 15 degrees Celsius, and only in the island country will reach 16 to 17 degrees Celsius. Frost will occur in the morning and evening hours in the central and northern continents.

The weather on Sunday, January 18

In western and central Macedonia, Thessaly, the northern Aegean islands, Evia, eastern Sterea, and eastern Peloponnese, increasing clouds with local rain or sleet and light snowfall in the mountains, as well as in semi-mountainous areas of western and central Macedonia and Thessaly. In the rest of the country, a few clouds, partly cloudy with some local rain in the Cyclades, Crete, and the Dodecanes,e and light snowfall in the mountains of Crete.

Winds will blow in the west from east 4 to 6 Beaufort, in the east from north 5 to 7, and in the southern Aegean Sea locally 8 Beaufort.

The temperature will drop further. Frost will occur in the morning and evening hours on the mainland, and in the northeast it will be strong in places.

The weather on Monday, 19 January

In western and central Macedonia, Thessaly, the northern Aegean islands, Evia, eastern Sterea, and eastern Peloponnese, increasing clouds with local rain or sleet and light snowfall in the mountains, as well as in semi-mountainous areas of western and central Macedonia, Thessaly, and central Sterea. In the rest of the country, a few clouds, partly cloudy with some local rain in the Cyclades, Crete, and the Dodecanese, and light snowfall in the mountains of Crete.

Winds will blow in the west from east directions and in the east from north 5 to 7 and in the Aegean Sea occasionally 8 Beaufort.

The temperature will not change significantly. Frost will occur in the morning and evening hours in the continental areas, and in the north will be strong in places.