Greece is facing strong to gale-force northwesterly winds on Sunday, particularly in northern regions and parts of the Aegean, according to a weather warning issued by the National Meteorological Service.
Winds are expected to reach 8 to 9 on the Beaufort scale in central Macedonia, including the Thessaloniki metropolitan area, and in the Sporades islands of the northern Aegean. Elsewhere, moderate to strong winds will prevail before turning northerly and intensifying from midday.
Weather conditions will be mostly clear across the country, with limited cloud cover. However, clouds will increase later in the day over southern and island regions, including the southern Ionian Sea, the Aegean islands and Crete, where light, localized rainfall is possible.
Temperatures will remain seasonably cool. Highs are expected to reach 10 to 13 degrees Celsius in northern Greece, 14 to 16 degrees on the mainland, and up to 18 degrees in island areas. Frost is expected early Sunday in parts of central and northern mainland Greece.
In Athens, conditions will remain mostly fair, with moderate northerly winds developing later in the day. In Thessaloniki, winds will strengthen rapidly, reaching gale force over the Thermaic Gulf.
Winds are forecast to ease on Monday, though temperatures will dip slightly nationwide. More unsettled weather is expected from Tuesday, with rain, isolated thunderstorms in maritime areas and colder conditions toward the New Year, including snowfall in mountainous regions.