Weather Update: Northerly Winds and Fire Risks in Greece

In the early days of August 2025, Greece is witnessing a significant shift in weather patterns marked by strong northerly winds and a notable drop in temperature. While weather instability is declining, parts of the country, especially the mountainous regions, may experience some showers during the warmer daytime hours. This weather pattern is accompanied by an increased risk of fires in several Greek regions.

The prevailing meltemi winds are expected to bring a respite from the heat and create favorable conditions along the coastal areas. Predictions indicate that by Friday, the northern Cyclades in the Aegean Sea could experience winds reaching up to 9 on the Beaufort scale, which might lead to ship travel restrictions due to adverse weather conditions.

Wind Outlook

The wind forecasts reveal an intensification to 6 to 7 Beaufort in the central and southern Aegean regions, with a peak expected from Thursday to Sunday. Notably, areas like the Cyclades, Karpathos, and the southeastern Aegean are forecasted to experience gusts reaching up to 8 Beaufort. These winds, devoid of thunderstorms or erratic weather, are regarded as a stable, cool, and advantageous phenomenon for the forthcoming days.

Fire Risk Alert

An elevated fire risk is assessed for several areas as outlined by the Fire Risk Prediction Map from the Ministry of Climate and Civil Protection. The noted regions in very high risk (category 4) comprise:

• Region of Attica
• Region of Peloponnese (Region of Corinth, Argolida, Arcadia, and Laconia)
• Region of Central Greece (PE Fthiotida, Boeotia, Fokida, and Evia including the island of Skyros)
• Region of Crete
• Region of North Aegean (PE Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Ikaria)
• Region of South Aegean (Cyclades)

The dry conditions, coupled with lingering heat and insufficient rainfall in July, have collectively pushed nearly the entire country to elevated drought levels. Regions such as Crete, the Peloponnese, and eastern Macedonia are facing more severe drought situations.

Soil Moisture and Drought Index

The assessment of drought conditions involves measuring soil moisture between 28 and 100 cm beneath the ground. This depth is critical for agriculture as it affects crop growth and yields. Employing the normalized Soil Moisture Variance Index (SSMI), droughts are categorized into levels from mild to extreme. A lower moisture content relative to typical seasonal levels indicates drought-associated water stress on crops.

Soil moisture data derived from models can at times differ from actual observations, yet it remains an essential part of ongoing analysis in Greece.

Weather Forecast

Over the next few days, sunshine is anticipated with scattered clouds primarily over Eastern Macedonia, Thrace, Evia, northern Crete, and the mainland’s mountainous areas. Rain or isolated thunderstorms may develop locally in Crete’s mountains, Macedonia, and Western Thessaly during the warm hours.

The anticipated temperature ranges are:

• 22 to 37 degrees Celsius in Northern Greece (16 to 31 degrees in Western Macedonia)
• 25 to 35 degrees in Central and Southern Greece (up to 37 in Thessaly)
• 21 to 37 degrees in Western Greece
• 25 to 31 degrees in the Cyclades and Crete
• 25 to 35 degrees on East Aegean islands
• 25 to 31 degrees in the Dodecanese

Winds will blow from the north in the Aegean, reaching moderate to strong (5-6 Beaufort), and in the Ionian, initially light and transitioning to moderate (4-5 Beaufort) from northwestern directions.

Precautionary Measures

The General Secretariat of Civil Protection advises caution to prevent fires, urging individuals to refrain from activities such as burning dry grass, using machinery that could produce sparks, and using outdoor barbecues. It is important to adhere to specific fire-prevention laws, particularly those prohibiting field burning during fire season.

The Fire Services continue to operate under heightened readiness, involving aerial surveillance and on-the-ground patrolling by fire, police, and military personnel. In response, measures like restricting vehicle traffic and visitor access to parks, forests, and vulnerable regions might be implemented according to the Civil Protection Action Plan for forest fire risk management.

The Fire Services also ask the public to stay vigilant for fire causes, report fires immediately by contacting the relevant emergency services, and follow safety instructions from the authorities.