Northern Greece braces for severe weather; school closures, snow chains ordered
Severe weather impacts expected in northern and central Greece.
The Hellenic National Meteorological Service has updated its severe weather bulletin. Heavy rain, strong storms, and snow are expected in northern Greece over the next few hours.
The weather is expected to worsen from Sunday through Tuesday across western, central and northern Greece, with heavy rain and storms, particularly in the west.
Snowfall will affect mountainous and semi-mountainous areas of central and northern Greece. Starting Sunday night and into Monday, snow will reach lower altitudes in northern regions.
Temperatures will drop significantly over three days. By 9–10°C in central and northern regions, by 3–5°C elsewhere, returning to seasonal norms, while northeast winds in the central and northern Aegean will reach 8–9 Beaufort.
By Tuesday, severe weather will gradually weaken and shift to southern regions.
Moreover, the scientific Risk Assessment Committee convened under the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Vasilis Kikilias, to evaluate the latest meteorological data for today and Monday.
Traffic for heavy vehicles will be banned from Sunday 6 p.m. until at least Monday 2 p.m on the Egnatia Highway, from the Drossohori tolls to the Polymylos tolls. The ban will also apply to the Kalambaka junction of E65 towards Panagia (E06) and from Grevena (E015) to the Egnatia junctions.
Snow chains are required throughout the road networks of Epirus, Western Macedonia, Central Macedonia, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, as well as Western Thessaly.
Schools in Western Macedonia will remain closed on Monday. In Eastern and Central Macedonia, local mayors will decide on school closures on a case-by-case basis.
Meanwhile, the Civil Protection Agency has urged citizens to exercise extreme caution and take self-protection measures against risks arising from severe weather phenomena.
The General Secretariat for Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr) has alerted all relevant state services, regional governments and municipalities to remain on high alert to respond promptly to the effects of extreme weather.
For areas expecting heavy rainfall, storms, or strong winds, the General Secretariat advises securing loose objects that could be swept away by strong winds, ensuring gutters and drains are clear and functional, while avoiding large trees, among others.
Additional self-protection guidelines are available at civilprotection.gov.gr.
Source: ekathimerini
