The former director of Forecasting at the National Meteorological Service, Nikos Kanteres, has assessed that the new storm system expected to affect Greece may not bring rainfall as intense as that recorded on Sunday and Monday in the Attica region. Although the second low-pressure system is deeper than the previous one, the experienced meteorologist believes it is not a given that atmospheric conditions over the Athens basin will once again favor such powerful weather events within a short period of time.
Read also: Weather alert: Red warning issued for rain and thunderstorms in 4 regions on October 28
New storm approaching: Thessaly, Sporades, Euboea and Dodecanese in the crosshairs
Speaking to parapolitika.gr, Kanteres compared the two successive storm systems, noting that Sunday and Monday saw exceptionally high total rainfall across many areas. He also clarified that his assessment applies mainly to Attica, as in Thessaly, the Sporades, and the Dodecanese, the new low-pressure system could trigger even more intense weather phenomena.
At the same time, the National Meteorological Service (NMS), in its updated Special Bulletin of Dangerous Weather Phenomena, has issued warnings for heavy rain and thunderstorms on Wednesday, October 28, placing Thessaly, the Sporades, Euboea, and the Dodecanese under red alert.
Kanteres: “I don’t believe we’ll see weather events as severe as before in Attica”
Kanteres points out that the second low-pressure system is deeper compared to the one that caused the Sunday and Monday storm, yet this does not necessarily mean that greater rainfall totals will be recorded in Attica.
As he explains, the key question is whether the atmosphere over the Athens basin can once again create the right conditions for such large amounts of rainfall within a short timeframe.
He expresses reservations about whether a similar episode of intense rainfall will be repeated, particularly in the areas most affected by the previous storm system.
“I believe we will not see the weather events of yesterday’s storm,” he notes, referring primarily to Attica.
Record rainfall levels recorded on Sunday and Monday
The former NMS Forecasting Director makes special reference to the significant amounts of water received by many areas over the Sunday-Monday period, stressing that total rainfall was particularly high at several meteorological stations.
According to the data he cites, Mandra and Aspropyrgos recorded 50mm of rainfall, while Koropi received 49mm. Another station in the area logged 60mm, and significant rainfall was also recorded in Oropos.
Intense weather events were also reported in Agios Ioannis Rentis, Elliniko, and areas of West Attica, where various problems were caused.
Kanteres underlines that Monday’s rainfall ranks among the most significant daily recordings of this October, though this does not mean that this particular storm was overall the strongest of the month.
It is precisely this picture from the previous two days that forms the basis of his comparison with the new storm, as he explains that the question is whether the atmospheric conditions that favored such intense rainfall will develop again.
Thessaly bears the brunt of the new storm system
Nikos Kanteres paints a different picture for Thessaly, the Sporades, and the Dodecanese, where he does not rule out the possibility that the new low-pressure system could trigger even more intense rainfall.
As he explains, Thessaly was not subjected to the same burden from the previous storm, a fact that differentiates his assessment for that specific region.
Therefore, while he believes the particularly intense weather events of the previous two days may not be repeated in Attica, he acknowledges the likelihood of more severe phenomena in other parts of the country.
NMS special bulletin: Red alert for four regions on October 28
According to the updated Special Bulletin of Dangerous Weather Phenomena issued by the NMS, rain and thunderstorms are expected in several areas of eastern Greece, with the possibility of localized hail accompanying the phenomena.
The most intense events are forecast for Wednesday, October 28, when Thessaly, the Sporades, Euboea, and the Dodecanese will be under red alert.
For today, Tuesday, October 27, locally heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast:
- In Thessaly, mainly in the regional units of Magnesia and Larissa, in the Sporades, and in Euboea from the evening hours, under orange alert.
- In eastern Central Greece, mainly in Phthiotis and Boeotia, from nighttime, under orange alert.
- In the Eastern Aegean islands, from Chios northward, temporarily until the afternoon, under orange alert.
- In the Dodecanese, mainly in Rhodes and Kastellorizo, from late midday, under orange alert.
For tomorrow, Wednesday, October 28, the NMS forecasts:
- Red alert in Thessaly, mainly in the regional units of Magnesia and Larissa, in the Sporades, and in Euboea, with severe weather events expected until late at night.
- Red alert in the Dodecanese.
- Orange alert in the Eastern Aegean islands until late evening.
- Orange alert in eastern Central Greece, mainly in Phthiotis and Boeotia, at intervals until late at night.
- Orange alert in Attica until the morning hours.
- Orange alert in the western and northern Cyclades until the morning hours.
