Greece braces for severe weather with heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning

A dramatic change in weather is forecast for northern and central Greece, bringing localized heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. These storms are expected to be accompanied by strong, gusty winds, often referred to as 'bourinia,' and a high frequency of lightning. There is also a possibility of localized hailstorms.

The forecast indicates increasing cloudiness initially in Macedonia, gradually spreading to other mainland areas and the northern Aegean. Rainfall and thunderstorms are predicted to be locally intense in Macedonia from late morning, in Epirus and Thessaly from the afternoon, and in eastern Sterea, the Sporades, and Evia from the evening. The phenomena are expected to weaken in most areas by evening, with exceptions in Halkidiki, the Sporades, and Evia.

Elsewhere in the country, the weather is expected to remain mostly clear with isolated showers possible in the Ionian Sea. Winds will blow from the north at 3 to 5 Beaufort, increasing locally to 6 Beaufort in northern regions by afternoon. Temperatures are set to drop, with most of the country experiencing highs between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius, while eastern mainland areas and the southern Aegean could reach up to 32 degrees Celsius.