Rain and thunderstorms expected across Greece on Saturday

Greece is set for a shift in weather patterns on Saturday, with the arrival of local rains and isolated thunderstorms across various regions. Despite the incoming precipitation, temperatures are expected to remain high, reaching up to 36 degrees Celsius. Winds will blow up to force 6, with a tendency to strengthen towards the evening.

The forecast indicates initial sunshine for most of the country. However, cloud cover will increase by midday and afternoon, bringing localized showers and isolated thunderstorms to the Ionian Islands, Sporades, Evia, Central and Eastern Macedonia, Thrace, Eastern Thessaly, Central Greece, the Peloponnese, and Crete. The Peloponnese is expected to receive the most rainfall.

Temperatures will vary across the country, with highs of 36 degrees Celsius anticipated in Macedonia and Thessaly. Coastal areas and islands will experience slightly cooler conditions, with temperatures generally ranging from 31 to 35 degrees Celsius. Winds will predominantly be from the north, ranging from force 3 to 6, with gusts up to force 7 in the Ionian Sea and the southeastern Aegean.

In Athens, scattered clouds are expected to increase, leading to local rain by the afternoon. Temperatures will range from 24 to 33 degrees Celsius. Thessaloniki will experience a similar pattern with partly cloudy skies and a chance of rain in the afternoon, with temperatures between 23 and 34 degrees Celsius.

Looking ahead to Sunday, the weather will remain unsettled in some parts of the country. Central Macedonia, Eastern Thessaly, the Sporades, northern Evia, and eastern Central Greece may see intermittent clouds with local rain and possible isolated thunderstorms, with improvement expected from the afternoon. The rest of the country is forecast to be generally clear, though some areas might experience brief showers.