Meteorologists are forecasting snow and cold weather in Greece, which will last until Monday, on account of the weather system, named storm Coral, impacting the eastern Mediterranean.

The weather forcast shows snow reaching the northern suburbs of Athens from Thursday night, and even the Greek islands of Chios, Lesvos, Samothrace, Evia, the Sporades, and the northern Cyclades.

Similarly, light snowfall is expected in mainland regions at altitudes above 200-300 meters, above 400 meters in the Cyclades, and over 700 meters in central and northern Crete.

For the rest of the country, rain and sleet are more likely, including in central and eastern Thessaly, central and eastern Sterea, Evia, the Sporades, the Cyclades, northern Crete, and parts of the northeastern Aegean, affecting both low-lying areas and plains.

Elsewhere, sunny conditions will prevail, though temperatures will drop sharply below seasonal averages.

The same weather pattern is expected on Friday and Saturday in Thessaly, the Peloponnese, Evia, Sterea Greece, and the Cyclades, with frigid temperatures dropping further, with a maximum of just 10°C in western Greece and the southern Aegean.

 Greek National Meteorological Service (EMY)

The Greek National Meteorological Service (EMY) has issued an updated emergency weather bulletin, warning of freezing temperatures and widespread snowfall across the country.

For Thursday, polar temperatures are expected in central Macedonia and Thessaly, ranging from -4°C to 7-8°C, and in central and eastern Sterea and Evia from -2°C to 9-10°C. Snowfall is expected in central Macedonia, Thessaly, central and eastern Sterea, and Evia, beginning in mountainous and semi-mountainous areas in the morning and gradually extending to lower elevations. In Crete, snow will start in mountainous areas in the morning and gradually extend to semi-mountainous regions.

For Friday, the bitter cold will continue, with temperatures in eastern Macedonia, Thrace, and the northeastern Aegean islands ranging from 5°C to 4-5°C, while western and central Macedonia will see temperatures between 4°C and 5-6°C. Thessaly, central and eastern Sterea, and Evia will have temperatures from -1°C to 7-8°C, and eastern Peloponnese will see 0°C to 9-10°C. Snowfall is expected in western and central Macedonia, Thessaly, the northeastern Aegean islands, central and eastern Sterea (including Attica), Evia, and eastern Peloponnese, beginning in mountainous and semi-mountainous regions in the morning and extending to lower elevations. In Crete, snow will be limited to mountainous and semi-mountainous areas.

School and Road Closures Already in Effect

Several villages in Evia were already covered in snow on Wednesday (Feb 19), and many schools will remain closed for safety reasons.

According to evima.gr, all schools in the Municipality of Dirfys-Messapia (kindergartens, primary schools, middle schools, and high schools) will be closed for two days, including nursery and daycare centers. Schools in the Municipality of Mantoudi-Limni-Agia Anna will also remain closed for two days due to hazardous weather conditions.

In Attica, Parnitha Avenue, which leads up to Parnitha mountain, was closed from the cable car station onward due to heavy snowfall on Wednesday afternoon.

Snow is expected in mountainous and semi-mountainous regions, as well as in low-altitude areas of eastern mainland Greece and the northern Aegean.

For the rest of the country, scattered clouds will bring occasional light precipitation, while eastern mainland regions and the Aegean will experience more persistent cloud cover and sleet.

Temperatures will drop further, with highs reaching only 6-8°C in central and northern Greece, 9°C in eastern mainland regions, and 12-13°C in the rest of the country.

Winds will be easterly at 4-6 Beaufort in western Greece and northerly at 5-7 Beaufort in eastern regions.

Frost is expected in mainland regions during the morning and evening hours.

Thursday’s Forecast by Region

For Attica, the forecast predicts periodic cloud cover with occasional light rain or sleet, and weak snowfall in mountainous and semi-mountainous areas, mainly in the east and north. Winds will be northeasterly at 4-5 Beaufort, reaching 6-7 Beaufort in eastern Attica, with temperatures ranging from 1°C to 9°C.

For Thessaloniki, cloudy weather is expected with occasional light rain or sleet, and weak snowfall possible even in low-altitude areas. Winds will be northerly at 4-5 Beaufort, gradually weakening, with temperatures from 0°C to 7°C.

For Macedonia and Thrace, the forecast includes partly cloudy skies, with increased cloud cover in central Macedonia and occasional light rain or sleet. Weak snowfall is possible even in low-altitude areas. Winds will be northeasterly at 4-5 Beaufort, reaching 6 Beaufort in the east before gradually weakening. Temperatures will range from -6°C to 7°C.

For the Ionian Islands, Epirus, western Sterea, and western Peloponnese, partly cloudy skies are expected, with occasional overcast periods and chances of brief local showers and weak snowfall in mountainous regions. Winds will be easterly at 3-5 Beaufort, reaching 6 Beaufort in the morning, with temperatures from 4°C to 13°C, and 3-5°C lower in Epirus.

For eastern Sterea, Evia, and eastern Peloponnese, cloudy conditions will persist with occasional light rain or sleet, and snowfall possible even at low altitudes. Winds will be northeasterly at 4-5 Beaufort, reaching 6-7 Beaufort in the east, with temperatures from -2°C to 8-9°C.

For the Cyclades and Crete, cloudy skies with scattered showers are expected, while snowfall will be limited to mountainous areas in Crete, gradually extending to semi-mountainous regions. Winds will be northerly at 6-7 Beaufort, possibly reaching 8 Beaufort in southern areas in the morning, with temperatures from 7°C to 12°C.