The week began with a temperature drop across the country, with the coming days leading to New Year’s Day expected to bring even lower temperatures, strengthening winds and local rainfall.
In detail, the weather scenario will be wintry in the coming days, with low temperatures and cold as the main characteristic, while according to meteorologists’ estimates, the new year will start with cold weather, but without intense or dangerous phenomena.
Weather: New Year’s Day with low temperatures and strong winds
According to statements made to ERTnews by meteorologist and Research Director at the Athens Observatory, Kostas Lagouvardos, on Tuesday (30/12) and Wednesday (31/12) renewed rainfall is expected, which will mainly affect central and southern Greece. Particular attention is needed from Tuesday evening into Wednesday in areas such as Crete, the Cyclades and the Peloponnese, while local phenomena cannot be ruled out in Attica. However, he emphasized that the rainfall is not expected to have the intensity recorded on Christmas Eve, while temperatures in the southern regions will be relatively milder due to southerly winds.
On Wednesday (31/12) and Thursday (1/01) a noticeable temperature drop is forecast, with Mr. Lagouvardos speaking of “two days of cold“. New Year’s Eve and the first day of 2026 will pass with low temperatures in most of the country, without however any serious problem appearing, beyond the increased sensation of cold. Particular attention is required during morning hours in mountainous and semi-mountainous areas, as many winter destinations are already recording severe frost, with temperatures reaching -6 to -7 degrees Celsius.
Regarding the possibility of snowfall, Mr. Lagouvardos noted that ski centers are operating this period only in Northern Greece. In southern Greece there is snow in mountainous areas, but not in sufficient quantities for safe skiing. Some snowfall may occur from Tuesday into Wednesday at high altitudes, however it remains to be assessed whether it will be sufficient for ski resort operations.
For his part, meteorologist Giannis Stamatakis, speaking to ERT, mentioned that today there is a possibility of snow on the peaks of Mount Parnitha, where the temperature will move close to zero.
As meteorologist Thodoris Kolydas noted, the main forecasting models converge on the fact that the year change will occur with cold weather, but without organized low pressure systems and without impressive phenomena. Rainfall, where it occurs, will be weak and sporadic, with greater probability in the eastern and southeastern Aegean and mainly in Crete.
According to the meteorologist’s forecast, the scenario will be clearly wintry but calm, with interest focusing more on low nighttime temperatures and less on rain or snow phenomena, confirming that this year’s New Year will be “decided” mainly by the cold.
Today’s weather
Sunshine with light clouds is forecast, increased in the eastern and southern parts, with possibility of local rainfall in Sporades, Southern Peloponnese, in the northern and mountainous parts of Crete and possibly in the Cyclades. Frost will occur during evening and early morning hours in central and northern mainland areas, while visibility will be locally limited during morning and evening hours.
Temperature will range from -4 to 8 degrees in Northern Greece (in Western Macedonia from -7 to 6 degrees), -2 to 11 degrees in Central and Southern Greece, 0 to 14 degrees in Western Greece (in Epirus from -2 to 10 degrees), 6 to 12 degrees in the Cyclades and from 9 to 14 degrees in Crete, 1 to 10 degrees in the Eastern Aegean islands and from 8 to 14 degrees in the Dodecanese.
Winds will blow in the Aegean initially from northern directions moderate 4-5 Beaufort and locally in the Northern and Southeastern Aegean strong 6 Beaufort, gradually turning to southwestern nearly moderate up to 4 Beaufort, while in the Ionian from variable directions weak.
We expect sunshine with light clouds after midday on Monday in Attica. Temperature will range from 5 to 11 degrees Celsius, but in the north it will be 3-4 degrees lower. Winds will blow initially from northern directions weak to nearly moderate 3-4 Beaufort and in the east moderate 5 Beaufort, gradually turning to southwestern weak.
We expect sunshine on Monday in Thessaloniki. Temperature will range from 1 to 7 degrees Celsius. Winds in Thermaikos will blow from northwestern directions moderate 4-5 Beaufort, with gradual weakening.
Weather on Tuesday December 30
Light clouds that will gradually increase in the west, Cyclades, Crete and eastern Aegean with local rainfall and from midday sporadic thunderstorms. From afternoon the phenomena will extend to eastern Peloponnese, eastern Central Greece, Euboea and southern Thessaly. Light snow will fall from afternoon in mainland mountainous areas.
Winds will blow western southwestern 3 to 5, in the open seas locally 6 and in the Aegean up to 7 Beaufort. Gradually from afternoon and from the north they will turn to northern directions with the same intensity. Temperature will show a slight rise and will reach 14 degrees in the north, 16 to 17 degrees in other areas and locally 18 to 19 degrees Celsius in the southern island country. Frost will occur locally during morning hours in northern mainland areas.
Weather on Wednesday December 31 (NEW YEAR’S EVE)
In northern mainland areas generally clear weather with light clouds locally increased during morning hours. In the rest of the country clouds locally increased with sporadic rainfall and isolated thunderstorms mainly in southern coastal areas. Light snow will fall in mainland mountainous areas and possibly in northeastern and central semi-mountainous areas.
Winds will blow from northern directions 4 to 6 and in open seas until afternoon locally up to 7 Beaufort. Temperature will drop throughout the country. Frost will occur locally during morning hours in mainland areas.
Weather on Thursday January 1 (NEW YEAR’S DAY)
Light clouds locally increased in the east and south with sporadic weak rainfall until midday in coastal areas. Light snow will fall in eastern mountainous and northeastern semi-mountainous areas. Winds will blow from northern directions 4 to 6 Beaufort. Temperature will not show significant change. Frost will occur locally during morning hours in mainland areas.
Weather on Friday January 2
In Crete increased clouds with local rainfall and sporadic thunderstorms. In the rest of the country generally clear weather with local clouds in the west, south and eastern Aegean. Winds will blow in the north from southern and in the south from eastern directions, 3 to 5 Beaufort. Temperature will rise. Frost will occur locally during morning hours in northern mainland areas.
