Greece is preparing to face the first heatwave of this summer, with meteorologists warning of temperatures exceeding 42°C in the coming days. According to forecasts, the hot spell will last three to four days, peaking between Thursday and Friday.

A heatwave of moderate intensity and relatively short duration — Friday will be the hottest day, says Kallianos

From tomorrow, Wednesday 25 June until Friday 27 June, we will experience unusually high temperatures for the season, 7-8°C above normal.

The peak will come on Friday

On Friday, 27/6, according to the latest forecasts, very high temperatures will affect most of the country. However, the atmosphere will be clear of dust thanks to northerly winds. On Friday, the last day of the heatwave, there will also be local showers or thunderstorms in northern Greece from midday onwards. A map shows the progression of maximum temperatures in heat-prone regions from Wednesday (the mildest day) to Friday (the peak of the heatwave).

Where temperatures will peak in the 5 largest cities

Athens:
Wednesday: 38°C
Thursday: 39-40°C
Friday: 40-41°C
Saturday: 37-38°C
Sunday: 34°C

Thessaloniki:
Wednesday: 37-38°C
Thursday: 38°C
Friday: 38-39°C
Saturday: 35-36°C
Sunday: 35°C

Patras:
Wednesday: 35°C
Thursday: 36-37°C
Friday: 37-38°C
Saturday: 39-40°C
Sunday: 37°C

Heraklion:
Wednesday: 32°C
Thursday: 34-35°C
Friday: 34-35°C
Saturday: 34-35°C
Sunday: 30°C

Larissa:
Wednesday: 38°C
Thursday: 40-41°C
Friday: 41-42°C
Saturday: 38°C
Sunday: 36°C

Note: Temperatures are indicative averages; deviations are possible as forecasts extend further out. It would be surprising if any area records 43°C — such extremes would be very localized.

About 1/8 of Chios has burned

According to satellite data, around 102,000 stremmata (hectares) have burned on Chios. Considering the island’s total area of about 840,000 stremmata, about 1/8 of the island has been affected by the recent fires. Winds on Chios are not expected to weaken, blowing at 5-6 Beaufort for at least another 3-4 days.

Regions that will feel the heat most:

• The interior of Central Macedonia
• The interior of Thessaly
• Western Central Greece
• Western and parts of Eastern Peloponnese

What meteorologist Panagiotis Giannopoulos forecasts:

A gradual rise in temperature, with Friday being the hottest day, followed by strong northerly winds for several days. Even in Athens, temperatures will hit 40°C (in the city center and western parts). Inland areas far from the sea could exceed 40°C locally. The mercury will start dropping on Saturday and further on Sunday.

The north wind will persist in the Aegean — today and tomorrow at 6 Beaufort, easing slightly on Thursday and Friday. From Saturday, it will reach 7 Beaufort and locally 8 on Sunday, remaining strong until the following Wednesday.

Weather in Attica: Clear skies, north winds up to 5 Beaufort in the east. Temps: up to 36°C today, 37-38°C tomorrow, rising further through Friday.

Weather in Thessaloniki: Clear skies, light winds. Temps: up to 34°C today, 35-36°C tomorrow, rising slightly more by Friday.