Heatwave to push temperatures up to 34C in Greece
Temperatures in Greece are expected to rise sharply in the coming days, with meteorologists warning that some areas could see highs of up to 34 degrees Celsius as a warm air mass from North Africa moves across the country.
According to forecasts, summer-like conditions will begin developing from Monday, while African dust is also expected to return following a brief reduction over the weekend.
Meteorologist Olga Papavgouli told ERTnews that scattered rain and brief thunderstorms are expected Saturday and Sunday in central and northern parts of the country, while southern regions will experience generally clearer weather.
She said African dust concentrations are likely to ease from Saturday evening as winds shift to northwesterly directions. However, dust is expected to return after Sunday as winds turn southerly once again.
Temperatures on Saturday are forecast to reach 26-27C in many areas, while eastern central Greece, northern Crete and the Dodecanese islands could see temperatures climb to around 30C.
In the capital Athens, conditions are expected to remain mostly clear with temperatures near 26C, while Thessaloniki may experience partly cloudy skies and brief showers in nearby mountainous areas.
Forecasters say the warmest day is expected to be Tuesday, when temperatures in eastern central Greece, Evia, Thessaly, northern Crete and the eastern Peloponnese could reach 33-34C.
Meteorologists noted that the heatwave is not expected to last long, with temperatures forecast to return closer to seasonal averages by the middle of next week.
