Expert warns Greece faces growing risk of more frequent, intense heatwaves
Athanassios Argiriou, a physics professor at the University of Patras, said Greece's location in the Eastern Mediterranean places the country among the regions most vulnerable to extreme heat.
Speaking to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA), Argiriou cited data from the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Organization showing that Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent.
Heatwaves becoming more likely
Argiriou said recent episodes of extreme heat have been driven by so-called "heat domes" — persistent high-pressure systems that trap hot air near the Earth's surface.
He noted that the phenomenon is intensified by clear skies, dry soils and the movement of hot air masses from North Africa.
According to Argiriou, major heatwave years such as 2003, 2010 and 2022 were linked to tens of thousands of heat-related deaths across Europe.
"It does not mean that every summer will be the same or that every warm period will develop into an extreme heatwave," he said. "It does mean, however, that the likelihood of intense heat events has increased."
Most vulnerable regions
The expert said inland plains and enclosed basins are expected to remain the areas most exposed to extreme temperatures.
Regions identified as particularly vulnerable include Thessaly, Macedonia, Thrace, Viotia, central Greece and parts of the Peloponnese.
Athens and Thessaloniki face additional challenges because of the urban heat island effect, which keeps temperatures elevated, particularly during the night.
Island and coastal areas generally experience lower peak temperatures, although high humidity and weak winds can still create dangerous levels of heat stress.
Call for preparedness
Argiriou said Greece should strengthen early warning systems and preparedness planning to improve the response of civil protection authorities to future heatwaves.
He added that timely forecasting and coordinated emergency planning will be essential as climate change increases the likelihood of extreme heat events across the country.
photo:efsyn.gr
