Meltemi Winds Continue to Affect Greece: Temperatures Reach 39°C, Forest Fire Risk Increases

Greece is entering a new week with the strong Aegean Sea meltemi winds, characteristic of the summer season, and high temperatures prevailing inland. According to assessments by Open's meteorologist Klearhos Marusakis, a gradual increase in temperatures is expected in the coming days. Towards the end of the week, thermometers in the country's inland areas are forecasted to rise to 39 degrees Celsius. This situation significantly increases the risk of forest fires due to the combination of hot weather, a dry atmosphere, and severe winds. For this reason, authorities and meteorologists are issuing warnings to exercise high levels of caution, especially in rural and forested areas.

According to the latest update issued by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY) for Tuesday, 7 July, generally clear and partly cloudy weather will prevail across the country. During the noon and afternoon hours, local showers and isolated thunderstorms are possible in the mountainous regions of the coastal areas. In the Aegean Sea, northerly winds will blow at 3 to 5, and locally up to 6, occasionally reaching 7 in the eastern parts. While these strong winds will have significant impacts on maritime activities and life in coastal areas, temperatures are not expected to exceed 33-35 degrees in inland regions and 33 degrees on the islands.

Looking at the regional weather forecasts, the weather will be generally clear in the Makedonya and Trakya regions, but local rain and storm可能性 are evaluated in the highlands during the noon hours. As winds blow from the northwest at 3-4 in the Ionian Islands, Epirus, West Sterea, and West Mora, temperatures will range between 21 and 35 degrees. In Thessaly, East Sterea, and the eastern parts of Mora, northern winds will prevail, and thermometers may again rise up to 35 degrees. The weather will be completely clear in the Cyclades and Crete, with northern winds felt at 5-6, and locally 7 in the east.

Among the major centers, clear weather will prevail in Attica, with northern winds blowing at 3 to 5, keeping temperatures around 34 degrees. In Thessaloniki, partly cloudy weather will be dominant; apart from local showers expected in the surrounding mountainous areas in the afternoon, general dryness will be prominent. Meteorologist Klearhos Marusakis states that the northern winds observed in the Aegean Sea will weaken by mid-week, allowing temperatures to rise rapidly inland. This weakening is shown as the main reason for temperatures reaching 39 degrees Celsius in inland areas on Thursday and Friday.

Despite this, meteorologists emphasize that the upcoming temperature increase should not be classified as an organized heatwave. It is noted that the expected high temperatures remain within the normal seasonal limits for July, yet still indicate noticeably hot weather. Additionally, the forecasts for Wednesday, 8 July, indicate that cloud cover and local rains are expected again during the night hours in Makedonya and Trakya. In the general temperature assessment, a slight increase is expected for inland areas, with temperatures planned to be 30-32 degrees on the islands and higher degrees measured in terrestrial areas.