The extreme heat wave “Cleon” is moving across Greece with meteorologists forecasting a small “break” from on Sunday 16 July, when the temperature will drop by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius.

A short while ago, the Emergency Weather Bulletin was updated with the latest forecast data according to which “from Sunday (16-07-2023) until the middle of next week, the areas affected by high temperatures will be limited and the intensity of the heat will decrease. At the same time, the temperature is expected to drop by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius mainly in the east and north, where the annual wind will reach 6 to 7 Beaufort.”

Towards the end of next week, there will be a rise in temperature again, a phenomenon that is being monitored, and its evolution will be better evaluated in the coming days.

In more detail:

1. Today Friday (14-7-2023) high temperatures will peak. The maximum temperature will reach its maximum value:

a. 38 to 39 degrees Celsius in the northern mainland and 40 to 42 degrees Celsius in central Macedonia and the interior of Epirus

b. 40 to 41 degrees Celsius in the rest of the continent, 41 to 43 degrees Celsius in the interior of Sterea, and 43 and possibly 44 degrees Celsius in the interior of Thessaly

c. 35 to 36 degrees Celsius in the island country and 37 to 41 degrees Celsius in the Ionian Islands, the eastern Aegean Islands, the Dodecanese, and southern Crete.

2. On Saturday (15-7-2023) the high temperatures will decrease slightly, mainly in the north. The maximum temperature will reach:

a. in the northern mainland 37 to 38 degrees Celsius and in central Macedonia and the interior of Epirus 39 degrees Celsius

b. 39 to 40 degrees Celsius in the rest of the mainland and 41 degrees Celsius in the interior of Central Greece, the Peloponnese, and Thessaly

c. 35 to 36 degrees Celsius in the island country and 37 to 40 degrees Celsius in the Ionian Islands, the eastern Aegean Islands, the Dodecanese, and southern Crete

Minimum temperatures will be around 28 to 31 degrees Celsius on the mainland and 26 to 29 degrees Celsius on the islands.

The long duration of the heatwave is the main concern for scientists and meteorologists, with the extreme heat also increasing the risk of fires.

Analysing the latest forecast weather models, it emerges that “this July, if the latest forecast figures hold, may prove to be particularly hot”.

The meteorologist and Director of Research of the National Observatory of Athens, Konstantinos Lagovardos, speaking to protothema, warns of the peak of the “wave” of high temperatures that will occur on Friday 14/07 – Saturday 15/07, during which heatwave conditions will prevail in most of the country, with maximum temperatures reaching 42-43 degrees Celsius locally.

The areas that will face extremely high temperatures (Friday and Saturday) are Central Macedonia, Central Greece (Attica, Boeotia, Fthiotida), Larissa, Peloponnese, and Western and Southern Greece.

As the latest forecasts show, the temperature will then show a slight decrease but will remain very high for several days.