Greece Faces Most Extreme Cold Spell Ever Recorded in Early May, Data Shows

The early May 2026 period in Greece was marked by an extreme cold spell, a phenomenon that has captured the attention of meteorologists and the public alike. The National Observatory of Athens' Meteo service reported unseasonably low temperatures and snowfall, even in higher elevations, during the May Day holiday weekend.

While snowfall in early May is not unprecedented in Greece, with historical records dating back decades, the intensity and widespread nature of this particular event are remarkable. Kostas Lagouvardos, research director at the Observatory, highlighted that temperature deviations from the norm were record-breaking. Many areas, including the capital Athens, experienced temperatures 12 to 13 degrees Celsius colder than usual for this time of year.

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The temperatures we saw in many areas, including Athens, were 12 to 13 degrees Celsius lower than normal for the season.

A particularly notable aspect was the snowfall recorded on Mount Parnitha on May 2-3, 2026. Snowfall in the Athens region in early May is a rare occurrence, making this event distinct from previous cold snaps. The last recorded instance of Parnitha being covered in snow at the beginning of May was in 1987. The lowest maximum temperature recorded in Thissio on May 2, 2026, was 15.2°C, a stark contrast to the average May maximum of 24°C. This extreme deviation has led experts like Dimitra Founta, Research Director at IEBA, National Observatory of Athens, to suggest a potential link to the ongoing climate crisis, even while acknowledging the natural variability of climate systems.

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We are talking about a record temperature of all time. Although the climate always has strong natural variability, it is very likely that this entire phenomenon is linked to the climate crisis and change.