A new wave of precipitation is expected to affect western Greece from early this week, according to forecasts by meteorologists Sakis Arnaoutoglou and Thodoris Kolydas. Experts are talking about successive bad weather systems that will keep the situation aggravated until November 25, with Epirus and the Ionian Sea being the focus.

According to Sakis Arnaoutoglou, a series of successive waves of rainfall are expected to hit western Greece in the coming days, with the phenomena being frequent, recurrent and intense in places. He said, “the most worrying element is that, unless the forecast data change, the rains may continue intermittently until November 24-25, in terrain that is already very saturated.”

The meteorologist warns that the situation is not about a single bad weather event, but “a series of successive waves of rain that will keep the situation aggravated day by day”. The saturation of the soil, he said, limits the capacity of water absorption and increases the likelihood of flooding and micro-slides, especially in mountainous areas.

“Based on current data, the areas that need the most attention are Epirus and the central northern Ionian Sea,” Arnaoutoglou said, adding that the timely mobilization of local authorities for cleaning streams and places with runoff problems is necessary. At the same time, he urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel when rainfall intensifies, noting that “with proper preparation, most problems can be avoided.”

African dust and warm air masses

At the same time, meteorologist and former director of the National Weather Service, Thodoris Kolydas, said African dust would affect the country until Friday, although concentrations would not be particularly high. As he explained, “warm air masses are coming from the coast of Africa towards our region, with mercury ranging 5-7 degrees above normal levels for the season.”

The dust, according to Kolydas, will mainly affect the western and southern parts of the country, while on Tuesday and Wednesday a barometric low will cause heavy rain in northwestern Greece, especially in the northern Ionian and Epirus. “Caution is needed as these areas will receive high rainfall,” he warned, stressing that the bad weather will be less intense in the remaining western and northern parts.

The week, according to meteorologists’ forecasts, will be filled with intervals of sunshine and rain, but with western Greece under prolonged surveillance due to the saturated ground and the constant circulation of systems. The phenomena may continue until the last ten days of November, requiring increased attention from authorities and citizens.

At -2.6 °C yesterday in Kozani

Frost was recorded in the morning hours of Sunday 16/11 mainly in the northern and central continental parts, with the lowest minimum temperature recorded in Neapolis Kozani at -2.6 °C.

It should be noted that even lower temperatures were recorded at network stations operating in ski resorts and mountain refuges (not included in the table), with the absolute minimum temperature of the network stations recorded at Vathystalo Parnassos at -9.5 °C.

The weather today

A few clouds are forecast, occasionally thicker, with local rain initially in Thrace and possibly on the East Aegean islands and gradually in Ionian, Epirus, West Central Greece. After the afternoon, local thunderstorms are expected in northern Ionian and Epirus, while local rain is possible in eastern Sterea and southern Evia. Visibility in the morning and evening hours will be limited in places mainly in the central and northern mainland. The atmospheric circulation favours the transport of dust from North Africa.

The temperature will range from 3 to 20 degrees in Northern Greece (in Western Macedonia from 0 to 17 degrees), 9 to 22 degrees in Central and Southern Greece, 8 to 21 degrees in Western Greece (in Epirus from 2 to 18 degrees), 11 to 21 degrees in the Cyclades and from 8 to 23 degrees in Crete, 8 to 20 degrees in the East Aegean islands and from 12 to 21 degrees in the Dodecanese.

Winds will blow in the Aegean from southerly directions, moderate 4-5 Beaufort and gradually in the Northeastern Aegean strong 6 Beaufort, while in the Ionian Sea from southeastern directions moderate 4-5 Beaufort and locally strong 6 Beaufort.

A few clouds, occasionally denser, with the possibility of localized light rain after the afternoon, are expected on Monday in Attica. Visibility will be limited in some places in the evening and morning hours. The temperature will range from 12 to 20 degrees Celsius, but in the north it will be 2-3 degrees lower. Winds will blow from the south, light, gradually increasing to moderate 4-5 Beaufort.

We expect a few clouds, sometimes denser and limited visibility in the evening and morning hours in Thessaloniki on Monday. The temperature will range from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. The winds in Thermaikos will blow generally from southeastern directions, light and occasionally almost moderate 4 Beaufort.

The weather on Tuesday, November 18

In the west and north cloudy with local showers. Sporadic thunderstorms will occur in the northern Ionian Sea, Epirus and Thrace. The phenomena, which are likely to be locally strong in the northern Ionian and Epirus, will weaken from late in the evening. In the rest of the country thin clouds in places and occasionally more dense. Meteorological conditions favour the transport of African dust.

Winds will blow from southern directions 4 to 6 Beaufort, in the sea 7 and locally in the northern Aegean possibly 8 Beaufort.

The temperature will not change significantly and will reach 18 to 20 degrees Celsius in the north, 21 to 23 degrees Celsius in the rest of the country and 24 to 25 degrees Celsius in the south.

The weather on Wednesday, November 19

In the west and north increasing clouds with local showers and in the northwest sporadic thunderstorms. In the rest of the country thin clouds, more dense in the Cyclades, Crete and the islands of the eastern Aegean, where a few local showers may occur. Meteorological conditions favour the transport of African dust.

The winds will blow from the south at 4 to 6 Beaufort and in the northern Aegean Sea locally 7 Beaufort.

The temperature will not change significantly.

The weather on Thursday, November 20

Increased clouds in the west, the north and the eastern Aegean with local showers. Sporadic thunderstorms may occur in the Ionian Sea. In the rest of the country local clouds.

Winds will blow from southern directions from 4 to 6 Beaufort.

The temperature will not change significantly.

The weather on Friday, November 21

Thin clouds at times more dense mainly in the west, the north and the eastern Aegean where local showers and isolated thunderstorms in the northern Ionian Sea will occur. Meteorological conditions favour the transport of African dust mainly in the central and southern parts.

Winds will blow from the south at 5 to 6 and in the Ionian Sea locally 7 Beaufort.

The temperature will rise slightly with maximum values in the central and southern regions.