Hot, Dry, and Windy Weather Ahead — High Wildfire Risk Across Greece

Strong winds and high temperatures will dominate the weather in the coming days, raising the risk of wildfires in several regions of the country.

Χάρτης Πρόβλεψης Κινδύνου 🔥για αύριο Δευτέρα 11/08

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📍 #Αττική #Κύθηρα #Βοιωτία #Εύβοια & #Σκύρο
📍 #Αργολίδα #Κορινθία #Ηλεία
📍 #Φωκίδα #Αιτωλοακαρνανία #Πρέβεζα
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📍 περιοχές #Φθιώτιδα #Αχαΐα… pic.twitter.com/bF1ZtNl9dC

— Civil Protection GR (@CivPro_GR) August 10, 2025

According to meteorologist Thodoris Kolydas, the meltemi winds — though slightly weaker — will persist in the central Aegean and southern Evia (Cape Kafireas/Doro) at 7–8 Beaufort over the next two days, keeping the fire risk index at level 4. He notes that the winds will ease from Wednesday through the holiday of Panagia, before returning next weekend at 6–7 Beaufort.

Where the Heat Will Hit Hardest
Meteorologist Giannis Kallianos clarified that extreme heat will be limited to Western Greece.
“The 40s are not returning nationwide,” he stressed. “Temperatures of 40–42°C will only affect Western Greece.”

In Athens, the mercury is expected to peak at 37–38°C until Tuesday, then gradually drop from Wednesday onward.

Expected maximums until Tuesday:

• Western Greece: 40–42°C (Epirus, Western Sterea, Western & Southern Peloponnese)
• Ionian Islands: 39–40°C
• Western Peloponnese lowlands: Isolated peaks above 42°C on Tuesday
• Central & Eastern Macedonia, Thrace: 39–40°C possible
• Other mainland lowlands: 37–38°C
• Aegean islands: 34–36°C, with Northeastern Aegean possibly reaching 38–39°C

From August 13–18, temperatures are forecast to drop to more tolerable seasonal levels:

• Most areas: 33–35°C
• West: 35–37°C

The meltemi will remain strong through August 17–18, with only minor fluctuations in intensity. The wildfire risk will stay high for at least another week.

Attica Forecast:

• Sunday, Aug 10: 36–37°C
• Monday, Aug 11: 38°C
• Tuesday, Aug 12: 38°C
• Wednesday, Aug 13: 35–36°C
• Thursday, Aug 14: 34°C
• Friday, Aug 15: 32–33°C

Fire Weather Warning
The NAA/meteo.gr FLAME team warns of extreme fire danger through Wednesday due to a hot–dry–windy weather pattern. Northerly winds (5–6 Beaufort, locally 7) over the Aegean and eastern/southern mainland, combined with low humidity, will dry vegetation rapidly, making fires difficult — or even impossible — to control in many areas.

Regions with Very High Fire Risk (Category 4) on Monday, Aug 11:

• Attica (including Kythera)
• Peloponnese: Corinthia, Argolida, Arcadia, Laconia
• Western Greece
• Epirus (Preveza)
• Central Greece: Fthiotida, Boeotia, Fokida, Evia (incl. Skyros)
• Eastern Macedonia & Thrace: Evros (incl. Samothrace)
• North Aegean: Lesvos, Lemnos, Chios

The General Secretariat for Civil Protection has alerted all relevant authorities to be on high readiness to respond immediately to fire outbreaks.

Sea Surface Changes Due to Winds
Persistent strong winds have cooled parts of the sea surface. Warm waters remain in the southeastern Aegean, which has been sheltered from the meltemi. In contrast, the Ionian Sea has seen upwelling of colder water — a process where winds push warmer surface water away from the shore, drawing up cooler deep water to replace it.

Today’s Weather
Mostly sunny, with some clouds over the Cyclades, Dodecanese, and northern/mountainous Crete.

Temperatures:

• Northern Greece: 23–38°C (16–34°C in Western Macedonia)
• Central/Southern mainland: 25–35°C (up to 38°C in Thessaly)
• Western Greece: 23–41°C
• Cyclades & Crete: 24–31°C
• Eastern Aegean islands: 25–40°C
• Dodecanese: 21–37°C

Winds:

• Aegean: North 4–5 Beaufort, Central/South Aegean 6–7 Beaufort (gusts up to 80–90 km/h)
• Ionian: Light to moderate, shifting northwest later

Looking Ahead:

• Tuesday (Aug 12): Clear skies, north winds up to 8 Beaufort in the central/northern Aegean. West mainland up to 41°C.
• Wednesday (Aug 13): Slight temperature drop in the east. Winds still strong in the Aegean.
• Thursday (Aug 14): Further cooling, locally strong northerlies.
• Friday (Aug 15): Mostly sunny, slight cooling in the west.