“Kristin” is the name of the severe weather system expected to affect Greece from tonight through Friday. Thunderstorms, strong winds, and even hail will characterize this new wave, which is expected to impact Attica on Thursday. Another bout of bad weather is expected over the weekend.
It is noted that the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS/EMY) has issued an emergency weather deterioration bulletin for this system.
In a post on his personal Facebook account, Thodoris Kolydas notes that the storm system is gradually moving eastward, bringing heavy rain and thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds, hailstorms, and frequent lightning.
Areas expected to be affected include Western Greece, the Ionian Islands, Epirus, western Central Greece, western and southern Peloponnese.
By midday Thursday, Attica will also be affected. Gradually, Eastern Macedonia, especially Thrace, as well as the entire eastern Aegean, will be impacted. The weather is expected to weaken by Friday.
However, from Saturday into Sunday, a new wave of bad weather is expected, likely bringing more rainfall across much of the country.
According to meteorologist Giorgos Tsatrafilias, weather-related problems may occur in the Ionian, Epirus, western Peloponnese, Aetolia-Acarnania, Phocis, Evrytania, Thrace, and the northern and eastern Aegean.
Winds in the Ionian Sea will blow at 5–7 Beaufort near Corfu and 8–9 Beaufort near Zakynthos.
“The low-pressure system named Kristin, which will affect us from tonight, is associated with a strong weather system in the western and central Mediterranean.
It was not named by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY), but by the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA – Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera), when the phenomenon intensified and was deemed capable of causing significant severe weather in the region,” the meteorologist states.
Emergency weather deterioration bulletin
Earlier today at noon, the HNMS issued an emergency bulletin stating that heavy rain, thunderstorms, and possibly localized hail are forecast from Thursday (29/01/2026), mainly in western Greece and the eastern island regions.
In Attica, heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected around midday.
Specifically, heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast:
- Ionian Islands, Epirus, western and central Central Greece: from early morning until midday
- Western Peloponnese: from morning until late afternoon
- Thrace: from midday until evening
- Northern and eastern Aegean islands: from afternoon until late night
- Attica: briefly around midday
Detailed weather forecast for Thursday, 29/1
In the west, cloudiness with local rain, and from the afternoon scattered thunderstorms in the Ionian, Epirus, and western Central Greece. By late afternoon, phenomena may be locally intense in the northern Ionian and Epirus.
In the rest of the country, thin clouds that will gradually thicken, with local rain in central and northern mainland areas in the afternoon, and in the eastern Aegean at night.
Snowfall is expected in the mountainous areas of Epirus and western Macedonia from evening onward.
Winds: southerly to southwesterly, 4–6 Beaufort, locally up to 7 at sea.
Temperatures:
- Ionian & mainland: 15–17°C
- Northwest: 12–13°C
- Islands: 18–19°C
Regional forecasts
MACEDONIA – THRACE
- Weather: Few clouds increasing rapidly; local rain in Macedonia from afternoon, in Thrace from evening. Snow in western Macedonia mountains at night.
- Winds: S–SW 3–4 Beaufort, up to 5 at sea.
- Temperature: Up to 15°C (3–4°C lower in western Macedonia).
IONIAN ISLANDS – EPIRUS – WESTERN CENTRAL GREECE – WESTERN PELOPONNESE
- Weather: Cloudy with rain; thunderstorms from afternoon. Locally strong in northern Ionian and Epirus late afternoon.
- Snow: In mountainous Epirus at night.
- Winds: S–SW 5–6 Beaufort, locally 7 in the Ionian.
- Temperature: Up to 17°C, Epirus interior up to 12°C.
THESSALY – EASTERN CENTRAL GREECE – EUBOEA – EASTERN PELOPONNESE
- Weather: Increasing cloudiness with local rain from afternoon.
- Winds: S–SW 4–6 Beaufort, up to 7 at night.
- Temperature: Up to 17°C.
CYCLADES – CRETE
- Weather: Thin clouds thickening gradually.
- Winds: SW 5–6 Beaufort, locally 7 at night.
- Temperature: Up to 18°C, locally 19°C in Crete.
EASTERN AEGEAN ISLANDS – DODECANESE
- Weather: Increasing cloudiness; local rain at night.
- Winds: W–SW 4–6 Beaufort, up to 7 in the north at night.
- Temperature: Up to 18–19°C.
ATTICA
- Weather: Increasing cloudiness; local rain at night.
- Winds: S–SW 4–6 Beaufort, up to 7 in the south at night.
- Temperature: Up to 17°C.
THESSALONIKI
- Weather: Increasing cloudiness; local rain from afternoon.
- Winds: SE 3–4 Beaufort.
- Temperature: Up to 14°C.
Outlook (Friday 30/1 – Monday 2/2)
- Friday: Rain and isolated thunderstorms mainly in western and northern Greece, with strong phenomena early in the eastern Aegean. Winds gradually weakening. Temperatures up to 18–19°C in the south.
- Saturday: Periods of rain, mainly in western Greece and the Aegean. Snow in central and northern mountains.
- Sunday: Widespread rain and thunderstorms, locally strong, especially in western and northern areas. Snow in mountainous and semi-mountainous regions.
- Monday: Rain and thunderstorms mainly in eastern regions, snow in northern and central mountainous areas. Gradual improvement from the west. Further temperature drop nationwide.
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