Weather conditions over the coming days are expected to be unstable and rainy, with two waves of bad weather hitting the country. Over the weekend, rain and thunderstorms will affect many regions, with increased rainfall totals. By contrast, Christmas Day is expected to see limited improvement, although wintry conditions will persist. Meteorologists warn of intense weather phenomena and falling temperatures, with rainfall being the main feature and snowfall confined mainly to mountainous areas.

Rain and Thunderstorms Over the Weekend

From Saturday, December 20, into Sunday, December 21, the country will be affected by the first wave of severe weather, bringing heavy rain and thunderstorms. The phenomenon will mainly impact central and southern regions.

Particular attention is advised for southern Peloponnese, the Cyclades, and Crete, where rainfall will intensify from Saturday afternoon and continue overnight, later affecting the Dodecanese.

In Attica, local rainfall is expected, gradually strengthening in the evening, with precipitation totals potentially exceeding 20 mm in parts of the basin. Strengthening southerly winds will also cause rough seas, making navigation hazardous.

Christmas Forecast by Thodoris Kolydas

According to Thodoris Kolydas, former director of the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS) and meteorologist for Star TV, the first wave of bad weather will occur over the weekend with rain and thunderstorms. A second wave is expected to affect the country from the afternoon of Tuesday, December 23, lasting until Christmas morning.

The regions mainly affected will be western Greece and the eastern Aegean. Temperatures will show a slight decline from Sunday, with a more substantial drop expected closer to New Year’s Day.

For Christmas Day, Mr. Kolydas notes that weather phenomena will gradually ease from midday on December 25, although conditions will remain wintry, with chilly weather and temperatures below seasonal averages.

Marousakis: Two Weather Phases Until New Year

Meteorologist Klearchos Marousakis states that weather conditions will evolve in two phases until the end of the year.

• First phase (Christmas period): Autumn-like conditions, featuring rain, thunderstorms, and snowfall in mountainous areas.
  Strengthening southerly winds will bring humid conditions, lasting until December 28.
• Second phase (after New Year): Clearly wintry conditions, with a significant temperature drop and stronger northerly winds.

Weather phenomena are expected to be intense, with rain and snowfall affecting mountainous regions and possibly lower elevations.

Tsatrafyllias: Christmas Weather Remains Uncertain

Meteorologist Giorgos Tsatrafyllias warns that Christmas weather remains uncertain, as forecast models have shown changes in both the spatial distribution and intensity of weather phenomena.

However, he notes that over the weekend there will be light rainfall in central and southern regions, while from Saturday afternoon thunderstorms will intensify in Peloponnese, the Cyclades, Crete, and later in the Dodecanese. In Attica, rainfall will continue at lower intensity on Sunday and Monday.

During Tuesday–Wednesday (December 23–24), rain, thunderstorms, and snowfall in mountainous areas are expected.

On Christmas Day, phenomena appear likely to subside, with improving weather but colder, wintry conditions. Early 2025 may begin with very cold temperatures and snowfall.

Today’s Weather

• Northern Greece: Light cloud cover, becoming denser in the afternoon
• Rest of the country: Increased cloudiness with local rain; isolated thunderstorms in southern Peloponnese, Crete, and during the evening in the Dodecanese

Temperatures

• Western Macedonia: -2 to 8°C
• Rest of Macedonia & Thrace: 2 to 13°C
• Thessaly: 3 to 14°C
• Epirus: -1 to 14°C
• Other mainland areas: 5 to 15°C
• Ionian Islands: 7 to 15°C
• Aegean islands & Crete: 6 to 17°C
• Dodecanese: 12 to 17°C

Winds

• Western regions: East–southeasterly
• Eastern regions: East–northeasterly
• Strength: 3–5 Beaufort

Attica

Cloudy with light rain. Northerly winds 3–5 Beaufort. Temperatures 10–15°C.

Thessaloniki

Light cloud cover increasing gradually. Variable light winds. Temperatures 5–13°C.

Weather on Sunday, December 21

Rain in Thessaly, Sporades, eastern Central Greece, Evia, eastern Peloponnese, Cyclades, Crete, and the Dodecanese, with isolated thunderstorms (in the Dodecanese and until midday in Cyclades and Crete).

Mostly clear weather in the northern Ionian, Epirus, and Macedonia, with occasional clouds elsewhere.

Winds: East–northeasterly 3–5 Beaufort, temporarily 6 Beaufort in the northeastern Aegean. In the Dodecanese, east–southeasterly 4–5 Beaufort.

Temperatures: No significant change, reaching 12–14°C in the north and 15–18°C elsewhere.

Weather on Monday, December 22

Unstable weather with local rain and isolated thunderstorms. Temporary snowfall in mountainous mainland areas.

Winds: East–northeasterly 3–5 Beaufort, locally 6 Beaufort in the northern Aegean. Southeasterly winds 4–5 Beaufort in the Ionian from the afternoon.

Temperatures: No significant change.

Weather on Tuesday, December 23

Increased cloud cover across most of the country with rain. Isolated thunderstorms, possibly strong locally, in the Ionian Islands. Snowfall in mountainous areas.

Winds: South–southeasterly 4–6 Beaufort, except in northeastern Greece where winds will be east–northeasterly of similar intensity.

Temperatures: Slight decline.

Weather on Wednesday, December 24

Increased cloud cover nationwide with local rain. Isolated thunderstorms mainly in western, northern, and eastern island regions. Snowfall in mountainous areas, mainly in central and northern Greece.

Winds: Southerly 4–6 Beaufort, gradually weakening from the afternoon.

Temperatures: Slight drop in mainland areas.