Adverse Weather in Greece: Heavy Rain, Snowfall, and Winds Cause Disruptions

Photo source: Greek Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection

Greece continued to face severe weather conditions on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, as heavy rainfall, storms, and snowfall affected many areas.

The Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY) reported stormy winds and frost, with conditions expected to ease by Wednesday, January 15, but frost likely to persist in central and northern Greece through Friday.

Rain and storms were reported across:

– The southern Ionian Sea
– The Peloponnese (especially west and south)
– Central Greece
– Thessaly (eastern areas)
– Sporades and Cyclades islands
– Evia
– Northern and eastern Aegean islands and Dodecanese (afternoon heavy rain)

Snowfall at lower altitudes

Snow blanketed mountainous and semi-mountainous areas of Epirus, Macedonia, and Thrace, with some snowfall occurring at lower altitudes. Heavy snowfall in Thessaly, Fthiotida, and Viotia was expected to subside by evening.

Strong winds and port closures

Stormy northeastern winds (8–9 Beaufort) affected the Aegean, with eastern winds (7–8 Beaufort) in the Ionian Sea. Winds were forecasted to weaken overnight.

According to the Hellenic Coast Guard, several ports remained closed, including those of Arkitsa–Edipsos, Kavala–Prinos and Keramoti–Thassos. Ships are also not allowed to sail from the ports Alexandroupolis, Samothrace, Rio and Antirio. Limited sailings occurred on the Kyllini–Kefallonia route under captain’s discretion. In contrast, operations continued from Piraeus, Rafina, and Lavrio ports.

Emergency measures and flooding

Earlier on Tuesday, Greek Climate Change and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias announced that a state of emergency would be declared in Kitries, Messinia, where debris and mudslides reached the coastline.

On Zakynthos, roads in Laganas, Lykoudi, and Alykes were flooded, and the Zakynthos–Romyrio road remained closed. Efforts to save water-damaged books in Zakynthos’ public library were also underway.

Authorities remain on alert, urging residents to exercise caution as recovery efforts continue.