A prolonged heat wave is coming – “The first major of the summer”

At the “sunset” of this summer, according to meteorologists, the most significant and extended heat wave of the season was destined to arrive.

Kostas Lagouvardos, meteorologist and Research Director at the National Observatory of Athens, warns of an “exhausting” heat intrusion that will last at least seven to eight days, with temperatures locally exceeding 40°C.

“Starting today, a hot period—a heat wave, I would say—begins that will last at least seven or eight days, and could likely continue until the end of the month,” Mr. Lagouvardos told the Orange Press Agency, explaining the phenomenon. “Temperatures won’t reach extreme values, but in many areas, they will exceed 37–38°C. We will see 40°C locally, and perhaps a bit higher over the weekend. What is noteworthy is the duration. We are talking about at least seven or eight days—possibly a bit more—of very high temperatures, which will significantly tire the population,” he added.

As Mr. Lagouvardos highlights, “After consecutive heat waves that affected Western and Central Europe, temperatures in Western Europe have dropped considerably. Now, warmer air masses are affecting our country, Eastern Europe in general, the Balkans, and Greece with long duration. Essentially, this is the first major heat wave of the summer, arriving in its final days—since meteorologically, summer ends at the end of August.”

Temperature hitting 39°C on Thursday and Friday

According to data from the National Observatory of Athens, sunshine with a few local clouds and a slight further rise in temperature will prevail across the entire country on Thursday, August 20.

Temperatures will reach 37–39°C in Thessaly, 36–37°C (and possibly 38°C locally) in the rest of the mainland, and 35–37°C in Macedonia and Thrace. In Attica, the weather will be clear with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 37°C, while in Thessaloniki, it will range from 24°C to 34°C.

Winds in the Aegean will blow from northern directions at 3 to 5 Beaufort, and in the Ionian, northwesterly up to 4 Beaufort.

The rise will continue on Friday, August 21. According to the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY), the weather will remain generally clear, with mainland temperatures reaching 37–38°C and locally 39°C. In the Eastern Aegean islands and the Dodecanese, temperatures will reach 36–37°C, while winds in the east will locally reach up to 6 Beaufort.

Peak over the weekend

On Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August, the hot wave will settle at its highest levels, with temperatures rising slightly further on Saturday and remaining without significant change on Sunday.

The weather will remain clear, though temporary clouds are expected in the mainland mountains during the midday and afternoon hours, with a chance of local showers or isolated thunderstorms on Sunday. Winds will blow from the north-northwest at 3 to 5, and locally at sea up to 6 Beaufort.