Temperatures Exceed 40 Degrees Celsius; Meteorologist Warns of 'Heat Marathon'

Extremely high temperatures gripped western Greece on Friday, with the mercury reaching 40.2 degrees Celsius in Agrinio, surpassing 40 degrees in several other locations. The National Observatory of Athens' network of automatic weather stations recorded temperatures of 37°C or higher at 78 of its 594 active sites.

Meteorologist Giorgos Tsatrafyllis warned of an impending "heat marathon," predicting a prolonged period of intense heat across the country. He noted that while a brief cooling trend might occur mid-week, temperatures are expected to climb again afterward. This extended heatwave poses significant challenges, particularly in inland plains away from coastal breezes.

Simultaneously, eastern and southern Greece are bracing for strong northerly winds, creating a dual threat of heat and fire danger. The combination of high temperatures, dry conditions, and powerful winds has led to a critical fire weather warning, with fire risk reaching Category 5, the highest alert level, in Crete and the southern Aegean.

The forecast indicates that the heat pattern is likely to persist into early September, with temperatures remaining above seasonal averages. This sustained period of high temperatures, coupled with strong winds in some regions, underscores the ongoing climate challenges faced by Greece.