The heatwave continues today, Wednesday, with temperatures reaching up to 38 degrees Celsius in many areas of the country and weather becoming increasingly hot. The situation is expected to worsen from tomorrow, as the anticipated stillness will intensify the feeling of heat, especially in urban and mainland areas. Maximum temperatures today are expected to range between 36 and 38 degrees in mainland Greece, while in the Aegean, northerly winds will blow up to 6 Beaufort, significantly increasing the risk of fires.
At the same time, the following areas are on orange alert today due to increased risk: Attica, South Evia, Corinthia, Argolida, Chios and Lesvos. On Thursday, the mercury is expected to rise slightly, with temperatures in the eastern mainland ranging from 36 to 39 degrees. However, on Friday, meteorologists predict significant weather changes in Northern Greece, with intense storms and a noticeable temperature drop.
Meanwhile, Saturday is expected to bring us a “breath of fresh air”, as temperatures will drop slightly in central and southern areas, with possible local rainfall in mainland regions. From Sunday, the weather is expected to be generally clear, with a new temperature rise predicted.
Weather forecast from EMY for today
Generally clear weather today, with temporary clouds in the north and midday-afternoon hours in other mainland areas, with possibility of local showers in the north, mainly in mountainous areas. Winds will blow from northern directions 3 to 5, locally in eastern mainland and the Aegean 6 Beaufort.
The temperature will show a slight drop in the north. It will reach 34 to 36 degrees in Macedonia, Thrace, the Ionian, Eastern Aegean islands, Dodecanese and southern Crete, 36 to 37 and locally 38 degrees in other mainland areas, and 31 to 33 degrees Celsius in the remaining island regions.
Weather: How the next days will unfold
FORECAST FOR THURSDAY 17-07-2025
Generally clear weather. During midday and afternoon hours, local clouds will develop in mainland areas and local showers are possible in northern mountainous regions. Winds will be variable 3 to 4 and in the south locally from western directions up to 5 Beaufort.
Temperature will not show significant change. It will reach 36 to 38 and locally in eastern areas 39 degrees in mainland regions, 34 to 37 degrees in the Ionian, Eastern Aegean islands, Dodecanese and southern Crete, and 31 to 33 degrees Celsius in the remaining island areas
FORECAST FOR FRIDAY 18-07-2025
In northern regions, few clouds that will gradually increase and local rains and scattered storms will occur, with gradual improvement from the afternoon.
In the rest of the country generally clear weather, with temporary clouds in mainland areas during midday-afternoon hours when local showers will occur mainly in mountainous areas of Thessaly. Winds will blow westerly-southwesterly 4 to 6 in the south, and from northern directions 3 to 5 Beaufort in the rest of the country. Temperature will show significant drop in the north.
FORECAST FOR SATURDAY 19-07-2025
Generally clear weather, with temporary clouds during midday-afternoon hours in eastern mainland areas when local showers will occur. Winds will blow northerly-northwesterly 3 to 5 and locally 6 Beaufort in the eastern Aegean. Temperature will show slight drop.
FORECAST FOR SUNDAY 20-07-2025
Generally clear weather, with few clouds during midday-afternoon hours in mainland mountainous areas. Winds will blow northerly-northwesterly 3 to 5 and locally 6 Beaufort in the eastern Aegean. Temperature will show slight rise in western areas.
Kallianos: Four-day intense heatwave coming – 40°C from July 21
The weather may already be hot, but from next week, the mercury will hit red, according to meteorologist Yiannis Kallianos, who speaks of a four-day intense heatwave and 40°C temperatures from July 21.
Specifically, in his post, Yiannis Kallianos states: “The forecast scenario is gathering high probability that an intense heatwave will take place from Monday, July 21, the third consecutive heatwave for this summer so far, but by far the strongest of the previous ones.
Its duration, at this moment, appears to be about 4 days, meaning it will start Monday 21/7 and be completed Thursday 24/7. Certainly, the “exit” date of the heatwave cannot yet be determined with absolute certainty, so it is an estimate that it will last 4 days. It could be longer. Moreover, forecast scenarios constantly change, 4 times a day.
Small breaths of fresh air until next Monday
These days we are not experiencing a heatwave. I have explained this scientifically many times so far. The continuous 38°C temperatures may be tiring, but according to the scientific definition, the conditions we are experiencing do not constitute heatwave conditions. They are purely summer conditions and I would say tolerable for all of us living in Greece. Moreover, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, strong showers or storms will occur mainly in Northern Greece (and not only). So, until next weekend, as I had explained to you, conditions will not resemble a heatwave.
TEMPERATURE ABOVE 42°C FROM MONDAY
However, from Monday July 21, if the latest forecast data is maintained, meaning if temperatures of about 26-27°C and locally 28°C are recorded at 1500 meters from sea surface (850 hPa), then we will be talking about temperatures that during the heatwave and in heat-vulnerable areas of the interior mainland, can reach even 42-43°C and locally perhaps even 44°C. I would like to believe that we will reach that point and that even higher temperatures will not be recorded, as some models predict. Of course we have several more days ahead of us and therefore we may have some changes, hopefully towards a cooler scenario.
ATHENS TEMPERATURE ESTIMATE
- Thursday July 17: 38°C
- Friday July 18: 36°C
- Saturday July 19: 35-36°C
- Sunday July 20: 38°C
- Monday July 21: 39-40°C (medium-term estimate)
- Tuesday July 22: 41-42°C (medium-term estimate)”.
