Greece braces for a hot summer with prolonged heatwaves and scarce rain

Greece is set to experience a scorching summer, with weather forecasts converging on a prolonged period of high temperatures and minimal rainfall. Leading international weather centers are signaling intense heat for the coming months, raising concerns about frequent and persistent heatwaves.

The shift in atmospheric circulation over the Eastern Mediterranean, influenced by the African subtropical anticyclone, has become a key factor in summer weather patterns. This system, appearing more frequently in recent years, is now expected to dominate the climate, pushing temperatures well above seasonal averages.

Seasonal forecasts from major organizations, including the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), suggest that both July and August will see temperatures exceeding normal levels across nearly all of Greece. The most significant temperature deviations are anticipated in Thessaly, eastern Sterea, the Peloponnese, and the eastern Aegean islands. The continuous transport of warm air masses from North Africa could lead to extended periods of extreme heat, with peak temperatures potentially surpassing 40 degrees Celsius in some areas.

Furthermore, "tropical nights," where temperatures do not drop below 20 or even 25 degrees Celsius, are expected to become more common. The strong presence of the African anticyclone is also linked to a substantial decrease in rainfall. Seasonal models indicate a widespread deficit in precipitation across Greece, as Atlantic weather systems are projected to follow a more northerly track, primarily affecting northern Europe. Some exceptions might occur in the mountainous Pindus region, western and northern Greece, and parts of Macedonia and Epirus, where afternoon thermal storms could bring localized rainfall.