Greeks and visitors to Greece will have to endure at least 10 more days of extremely high temperatures as a new heatwave hits most of the country starting on Friday.
According to the Greek weather service, temperatures are expected to soar in the coming two weeks reaching 42 degrees Celsius (107.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in Athens and Attica and in most parts of Central and Southern Greece and Crete.
Health experts are advising vulnerable groups, seniors and children to stay indoors. This is what you need to know to stay safe and make the most of your holidays in Greece during a heatwave.
Residents and travelers are also advised to avoid strenuous exercise after 11am to 8pm.
According to meteorologist Klearchos Marousakis, “any activity that burdens the human body should stop for the next 10 to 15 days”.
Meanwhile, the Athens Municipality will be opening seven cooling centers on Friday and will be operating a Heatwave Hotline (210 3638049) and municipal medical centers will open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.
The extreme heat is expected to put pressure on Greece’s power system as homeowners and businesses resort to air conditioning to remain cool.
High Risk of Fire in Greece
The high temperatures, the dry weather conditions and the strong winds are set to further increase the risk of wild fires.
Greece’s Civil Protection authority has issued fire warnings for Friday for the Rodopi – Evros region where last year fires raged for days burning among others the National Forest of Dadia. The 2023 fire was considered the largest recorded in Europe, according to the EU’s Copernicus Emergency Management Service.
Residents and visitors are advised to exercise extreme caution. In case of fire dial 199 for the fire service.
Earlier on Thursday, fire fighters battled a blaze in the regional unit of Corinthia in the Peloponnese.
