Greek weather authorities forecast that African dust combined with localised muddy rain will continue affecting Greece, particularly in the eastern and southern regions, until Friday. The Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY) stated that strong northerly winds are expected to gradually clear the dust by the end of the week.
On Thursday, April 16, EMY forecast increased cloud cover across the country, with local showers and brief storms developing over mountainous inland areas during the afternoon. Visibility was expected to be reduced during morning and evening hours in parts of the mainland. Meteorological conditions were expected to favour higher concentrations of African dust in the eastern and southern regions.
Northerly and north-easterly winds were forecast at 4 to 6 Beaufort, reaching 7 to 8 Beaufort in parts of the Aegean. Temperatures were expected to remain stable, reaching 21 to 22°C, and locally up to 23°C in western mainland areas and northern Crete.
In Attica, cloud cover increased with local showers expected in the afternoon. Winds were forecast from the north-northeast at 4 to 5 Beaufort, reaching 6 to 7 Beaufort in eastern and southern areas, with temperatures ranging from 11 to 21°C.
In Thessaloniki, partly cloudy conditions prevailed with variable winds and temperatures between 12 and 20°C. Macedonia and Thrace experienced partly cloudy skies with localised showers in mountainous areas and temperatures up to 21°C.
Western Greece, including Epirus, experienced intermittent cloud cover and local showers in mountainous regions, with northerly winds up to 6 Beaufort and temperatures reaching 23°C.
Central and eastern regions, including Thessaly, Central Greece, Evia and the eastern Peloponnese, saw increased cloudiness and local showers, with temperatures ranging from 10 to 21°C.
The Cyclades and Crete recorded cloud cover with local showers, particularly in Crete from the afternoon, while winds strengthened to 8 Beaufort in places. Temperatures ranged from 14 to 23°C in northern Crete.
Eastern Aegean islands and the Dodecanese experienced variable cloud cover and north-easterly winds up to 7 Beaufort, with temperatures between 14 and 22°C.
On Friday, April 17, EMY forecast unsettled conditions in Crete, the Cyclades and the Dodecanese, with local rain and sporadic thunderstorms, some potentially intense in Crete. Northern and western mainland areas were also expected to see scattered showers and isolated storms in mountainous regions. African dust was expected to persist in eastern and southern areas.
By Saturday, April 18, conditions were forecast to gradually improve in many regions, although local showers and isolated storms were still expected, particularly in mainland mountainous areas and parts of the south. Northerly winds were expected to remain strong in the Aegean before easing later in the day.
