Greece braces for 'Hot-Dry-Windy' conditions, high wildfire risk in next 48 hours

Greece is bracing for a challenging 48-hour period as a potent mix of high temperatures, dry air, and strong winds creates a heightened risk of wildfires. Meteorologist Giorgos Tsatrafyllias has issued a stark warning, describing the conditions as "Hot-Dry-Windy" – an environment where any spark could rapidly escalate into a difficult-to-control blaze.

The "Meltemi" winds, particularly in the Aegean, are expected to intensify, reaching speeds of 6-7 Beaufort with stronger gusts. Simultaneously, temperatures will remain high, with the mercury potentially climbing to 39-40 degrees Celsius in some areas. Sunday and especially Monday are predicted to be the most demanding days, as the heat and strong winds converge across a significant portion of the country.

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Hot-Dry-Windy: Dangerous 48-hour period for fires.

The strong northerly winds will primarily affect the Aegean and eastern regions, with Crete also requiring particular attention due to expected wind increases. Tsatrafyllias emphasized that while the weather conditions themselves do not ignite fires, they act as a dangerous catalyst. A single moment of human carelessness, under these circumstances, could transform into a large, unmanageable wildfire within minutes.

"Zero tolerance for carelessness" is the clear message for the coming hours. The meteorologist highlighted the particularly unfavorable pyrometeorological conditions, stressing that the danger stems not from a single factor but from the simultaneous combination of heat, dryness, and strong winds. The forecast underscores the critical importance of prevention and early response to potential fires in the immediate forecast period.

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Hot-Dry-Windy: Dangerous 48-hour period for fires.