The hottest days of this summer are falling this Saturday and Sunday, as Greece is experiencing a heatwave with temperatures reaching or exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, with the Municipality of Athens placing all its services on full alert due to the extreme heat expected over the coming days.
Heatwave: Thessaly, Eastern Central Greece, Central Macedonia and the Peloponnese to swelter
According to ERT and meteorologist Anastasia Tyraski, the heatwave is expected to be prolonged, with the highest temperatures during the weekend recorded in regions such as Thessaly, Eastern Central Greece, Eastern Peloponnese and parts of Central Macedonia. Cloud cover will develop over inland areas during midday and afternoon hours, mainly over mountainous terrain, with the possibility of isolated showers or thunderstorms. Winds will be westerly to northwesterly, reaching up to 6 Beaufort in areas such as the Gulf of Corinth and the sea zone south of the Peloponnese, between the Peloponnese and Crete. This westerly flow will keep temperatures lower in Western Greece, while intensifying the heat across eastern inland areas.
Sunday will be particularly hot in Central Macedonia and Thessaly, with temperatures reaching 39–40 degrees. From Monday onward, northerly winds will strengthen, reaching 6 Beaufort over the Aegean, driving a gradual temperature drop in the north and east. In Western Greece and the Peloponnese, northerly winds act as a katabatic flow, making Monday and Tuesday the hottest days in those areas. Temperatures there could locally reach 40 degrees Celsius.
On Sunday and Monday, atmospheric instability will increase, bringing local rain and thunderstorms mainly over mountainous areas during the afternoon. The showers will be brief and localized, while temperatures will remain high. Until Wednesday, temperatures of 38 to 39 degrees are expected, with local values in Western Greece and the Peloponnese potentially reaching 40 degrees, primarily on Monday and Tuesday. From Thursday, a significant drop in the heat is expected thanks to strong Etesian winds (Meltemi) reaching 7 Beaufort or more, bringing a noticeable cooling. However, forecasts suggest that next weekend may see a new, temporary rise in temperatures.
Athens heatwave measures: Air-conditioned spaces, stray animal care and special sanitation schedules
Under the Municipality’s Civil Protection Plan, starting Sunday, August 23 and for as long as necessary, 7 of the Municipality’s Friendship Clubs will operate from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. as air-conditioned cooling centers for residents.
Full list of locations:
- Friendship Club of Agios Pavlos, 22 Mamouri & Dymis St. Tel: 210 8223946
- Friendship Club “The Assumption of the Lord” of Neos Kosmos, 15 Heldreich St. Tel: 210 9240403
- Friendship Club of Votanikos, 4 Kozanis St. Tel: 210 3423716
- Friendship Club of Kolokynthou, 9 Aimonos & Astrous St. Tel: 210 5140877
- Friendship Club of Agios Eleftherios, 372 Acharnon St. Tel: 210 2012334
- Friendship Club of Kypseli, Skyrou & Kaukasou St. Tel: 210 8815877
- Friendship Club of Ambelokipi, Panormos & Vatheos St. Tel: 210 6459890
Specifically during the days of extreme heat, the Athens Reception and Solidarity Center will supply the Friendship Clubs, the Multipurpose Homeless Center and the Day Center with water, beverages and special hygiene kits.
1595: The 24-hour resident helpline
Citizens, and especially those belonging to vulnerable groups, can contact the 24-hour Resident Service Line at 1595 (charges vary by provider) or at 2105287800. For medical advice and guidance on preventing and managing heat-related health issues, the “Heatwave Hotline” of the Municipal Multipurpose Medical Centers is available at 210 3638049, daily from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Heightened operational readiness
The Municipality of Athens is operating on heightened alert on a 24-hour basis.
Details:
- Teams from the Sanitation and Green Spaces Directorates are conducting regular patrols.
- The Municipal Police is monitoring green spaces and high-risk areas using ground units and drones equipped with cameras for the immediate detection of critical temperature changes.
- The Municipal Police Operations Center is coordinating with the Fire Service, relevant authorities and other services and municipalities as needed.
- Municipal water tankers are on continuous standby.
Vulnerable groups
To protect the homeless, the Municipality of Athens Streetwork teams will operate in the field from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Social workers, nurses and psychologists will distribute bottles of cool water and hygiene kits.
Care for stray animals
For the city’s stray animals, the Athens Urban Wildlife Service has placed more than 130 water bowls across the capital’s neighborhoods, maintained by both the service and volunteers. Residents are encouraged to help keep them filled with fresh, cool water. Care instructions for pet owners and those looking after street animals during the days of extreme heat are also available on the Urban Wildlife social media pages. The Municipal Veterinary Clinic (94 Mesogeion Ave. & Trikalon St.) will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For inquiries, call 210 7483967.
Protecting workers from heat stress
The Municipality of Athens is adjusting the operation of its services with a focus on protecting employees’ health and safety from heat stress, in accordance with the guidelines of the relevant ministries and the applicable protective measures. Specifically, outdoor crews will be withdrawn from the field during the hottest hours of the day (11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.), and work schedules will be rearranged so that the most physically demanding tasks are carried out during cooler hours. Special provisions will be made for employees belonging to vulnerable groups, while all workers will be provided with necessary personal protective equipment, cool water and adequate breaks to ensure the safe performance of their duties.
Special sanitation schedule
Given the extreme temperatures and for public health and safety reasons, citizens and businesses are asked not to place waste in bins between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Your understanding and cooperation are appreciated in order to avoid disruptions to city services and to safeguard public health and worker safety during periods of extreme heat.
A special schedule will be implemented at the Athens Municipality’s Sanitation and Recycling Directorate, in accordance with supervisors’ guidelines, to ensure the smooth continuation of essential sanitation operations while protecting the health and safety of employees. The special schedule will be applied under the responsibility of department heads, taking into account the operational needs of each section, staff and vehicle availability, and the need to maintain uninterrupted city services. The health and safety of workers remains an absolute priority for the Directorate, alongside ensuring the smooth running of all sanitation services.
The Municipality of Athens urges residents to exercise extra caution and to avoid any actions that could negligently cause a fire. For any matter, residents may contact the 24-hour Athens Resident Service Line at 1595 (charges vary by provider).
