A weather warning has been issued for Greece with violent lightning storms set to lash the country. According to emergency bulletin issued by the national weather service, EMY cold and unstable weather is expected to affect most regions of the country this weekend.
Tourists flying to Greece have previously been given wildfire advice as the country has suffered some serious outbreaks of flames. In the latest forecast EMY said most of the mainland will experience heavy rains and storms which will be accompanied by intense lightning and scattered hail. In some areas the rain will also be accompanied by strong winds.
The temperature will drop slightly, reaching 31 to 33 degrees Celsius in the mainland, the Ionian and Dodecanese islands and Crete, and 28-30 degrees in the rest of the country.
The worsening weather will sweep over Epirus, Central Greece, the Peloponnese, and central Macedonia. On Friday, the wet conditions will spread to the Ionian islands in western Greece, Attica, Evia, the Sporades Islands, Thessaly and more parts of Macedonia. The storms will continue to affect most of these regions on Saturday.
Further ahead travellers to Greece were warned that temperatures are set to get meltingly hot next month. The summer so far has seen serious health alerts due to wildfires and heat, with attractions such as the Acropolis shut down at times due to temperature concerns.
Now according to the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS), Greece is set for an unusually warm autumn. The HNMS has released forecast data suggesting that average temperatures from September through November could be as much as two degrees Celsius above the usual seasonal norm.
The UK Foreign Office has also issued advice this summer – highlighting ‘highly dangerous’ wildfires which have been hitting the country. Officials said: “Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. The situation can change quickly.”
Tourists are being warned they must take action to avoid accidentally setting them off – and the Foreign Office said people could face prosecution and prison. Advice includes leaving no litter, especially not glass which is known to start fires, make sure cigarettes are properly extinguished and to not light barbecues.
Officials added: “Causing a wildfire or a forest fire is a criminal offence in Greece – even if unintentional. If you see a fire, call the emergency services on 112.” Earlier this month, firefighters in Greece fought a fire that burned an area almost twice the size of Manhattan. The fire north of Athens gutted scores of homes before it was contained. One person was killed. There have been many other big fires so far this year.