The powerful storm Bora continues to batter Greece with heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds. Areas hit hardest on Saturday night included Rhodes and Limnos, the latter tragically reporting two fatalities due to the storm.

The Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY) warned that the dangerous weather will persist, particularly through early Monday morning.

Island of Limnos in a state of emergency

The island of Limnos faced catastrophic flooding, particularly in the village of Kontias, where a 57-year-old shepherd was swept away by a torrent while attempting to free his vehicle stuck in mud. Tragically, his body was discovered by his brother downstream, trapped in tree roots. Another victim, a 70-year-old man, lost his life after slipping and hitting his head, while clearing water from his home’s steps.

Emergency 112 alerts urged residents of Kontias to evacuate, following the overflowing of a nearby dam. According to Lemnos Deputy Mayor Vasilis Archontidis, roads have been destroyed, water supply in the island’s capital Myrina is unsafe, and the island has requested to be declared a state of emergency.
@we_are_all_greeksΙαλυσός,Ρόδος…. @epoxpyrosvestes♬ πρωτότυπος ήχος – we_are_all_greeks

Emergency services received 76 calls from Limnos alone, handling: 49 water pump operations and 19 evacuations.

Rhodes reported heavy flooding and evacuations

Heavy rainfall wreaked havoc in Rhodes, submerging roads and immobilizing vehicles across the island. Emergency crews from the Special Disaster Response Unit (EMAK) and forest rescue units were dispatched overnight, equipped with pumps and boats to assist with evacuations.

Καταστροφές στην Ρόδο από την κακοκαιρία “Bora”, Κυριακή 1 Δεκεμβρίου 2024.
(ΑΡΓΥΡΗΣ ΜΑΝΤΙΚΟΣ/EUROKINISSI)

Over 600 calls for assistance were made, with residents being evacuated from flooded homes seeking refuge in high schools and public buildings operating as temporary shelters. Authorities issued 112 alerts, urging residents to evacuate basements and ground-floor residences.

Καταστροφές στην Ρόδο από την κακοκαιρία “Bora”, Κυριακή 1 Δεκεμβρίου 2024.
(ΑΡΓΥΡΗΣ ΜΑΝΤΙΚΟΣ/EUROKINISSI)

Broader Impacts Across Greece

  • Central Macedonia: 145 calls were made for tree removals, object clearances, and water pumping.
  • Chios: 28 incidents included water pumping and one person rescued.
  • Larissa: Coastal residents took precautions, filling sandbags amid fears of new flooding.
  • Florina and Grevena: Heavy snow blanketed these areas, disrupting daily life.


The Hellenic Fire Brigade responded to 294 calls nationwide for evacuations, water pumping, and tree removals.

Stormy Sunday Ahead

Sunday brings unstable weather across Greece, with severe thunderstorms forecasted in Macedonia, especially in Thessaloniki, Halkidiki, Pieria, and Imathia, as well as in coastal areas where the storms may linger. Thessaly, particularly eastern areas, along with the Sporades, Evia, and the eastern Aegean, will also experience intense weather conditions.

Rain and sporadic thunderstorms are expected in the rest of the country, while dense snowfall will affect the central and northern mountains and some semi-mountainous areas in Epirus and western Macedonia.

By evening, the weather will begin to ease gradually.

Temperatures will dip slightly:

  • Northern regions: 7–12°C
  • Mainland Greece: 14–17°C
  • Southern Aegean: 18–20°C

Winds:

  • Ionian Sea: Northwest, 4–6 Beaufort
  • Aegean Sea: Mainly southwest, 5–7 Beaufort; however, the northern Aegean will experience stormy eastern winds at 8–9 Beaufort.

Regional Highlights:

  • Athens: Rain and morning thunderstorms will weaken by midday, with some weather improvements. Temperatures will range from 12–17°C, with southwest winds at 3–5 Beaufort.
  • Thessaloniki: Persistent heavy rain and thunderstorms throughout the day, with significant rainfall expected in Halkidiki. Weather conditions will improve by evening. Temperatures will hover between 9–11°C, with strong eastern winds at 7–9 Beaufort, easing later.

When will storm Bora subside? 

The bad weather will continue to impact the eastern mainland and Aegean Islands come Monday, with rain and strong thunderstorms expected. However, the rest of the country will see a gradual improvement by morning.

Temperatures will drop further, with daily highs of 11–12°C in Northern and Central Greece,Around 15°C across the mainland and Up to 19°C in the Southern Aegean. Winds will shift to northern directions, reaching 4–6 Beaufort, and up to 7 Beaufort in the Aegean.

Milder rain will linger over eastern mainland areas and the Aegean Islands until midday on Tuesday, with conditions clearing quickly by the afternoon.

Temperatures will remain slightly below seasonal averages and around 12–16°C. Winds will persist from the north, reaching 4–6 Beaufort, and peaking at 7 Beaufort before calming by midday.