Weather: why the heat wave will be extreme - The meteo explanation

It starts today, Tuesday, July 27 for the big heat wave that will last several days and according to meteorologists, will remind the intense weather phenomena that were recorded in our country in 1987. According to the prognostic data of meteo.gr/Athens National Observatory the extreme heat wave is expected to affect our country from Tuesday 27/07 and mainly from Friday 30/07.

Apart from the very high temperatures that will exceed the temperatures in the continents 43 degrees Celsius, the special feature of this heat wave will be its extremely long duration (more than 7 days). It should be noted that from Friday 30/07 temperatures will remain at very high levels even during the night, increasing the feeling of discomfort.

But what are the atmospheric processes that will lead to extreme conditions?;

The first process, as is common in heat waves, is the transport of very hot gas masses from Africa to our country. The video shows forecast maps showing the movement of the warm air masses between 25 July and 4 August at an altitude of about 1500 metres. The altitude of 1500 meters is used in meteorology to monitor the movement of warm and cold air masses.

The second process, which will act additively to thermal transport, is the downward movement of gas masses from the upper to the lower parts of the atmosphere due to the presence of high pressures. The descending gas masses are forced to heat up due to compression. As the heatwave will have a long duration, this process will lead to a further rise in maximum and minimum temperatures. In the map below, the area where this process will have the greatest effect is enclosed by a black line.

Weather - Heatwave: The EMY emergency bulletin

Η National Weather Service issued an emergency bulletin. According to the EMY, the warm air masses moving from North Africa towards Greece will cause a noticeable rise in temperature from today Tuesday (27-7-2021). It should be noted that from Thursday (29-7-2021) to Tuesday (3-8-2021) the temperature will be particularly high throughout Greece.

More specifically:

The Tuesday (27-7-2021) high temperatures will prevail in the western, central and northern parts of the country. The highest values are predicted to occur:

α. Continental Greece: In western Sterea, the interior of Epirus and Thessaly (up to 39 to 40 degrees Celsius) and in central Macedonia (up to 38 to 39 degrees Celsius)

β. Island Greece: In the Ionian islands (up to 35 to 36 degrees Celsius).

The Wednesday (28-7-2021) high temperatures will prevail in almost the whole country. The highest values will be recorded:

α. Continental Greece: In western Central Greece and Thessaly (up to 40 to 41 degrees Celsius) and in central Macedonia and the interior of Epirus (up to 39 to 40 degrees Celsius)

β. Island Greece: On the Ionian Islands, the eastern Aegean and the Dodecanese (up to 37 degrees Celsius).

The Thursday (29-7-2021) high temperatures will prevail throughout the country. The highest values are predicted to occur:

α. Continental Greece: In western Central Greece and Thessaly (up to 41 to 42 degrees Celsius) and in central Macedonia and the interior of Epirus (up to 40 to 41 degrees Celsius)

Marousakis: The heatwave will be reminiscent of 1987

According to the Open meteorologist, Klearchos Marousakis, the strong heat wave will resemble the one in 1987. As he says in a Facebook post, «we need to be careful and not panic as we have a lot of tools in our hands compared to 1987“.

According to Clearchos Marousakis, the mercury will climb to 42 to 45 degrees Celsius, while the duration of the heatwave is still unknown. «We may go like this until August 5 to 7,» the meteorologist said. «Towards the northern continental parts of the country there is a lot of coolness. The winds will be the main feature of today. Slowly the very warm air masses from the coast of Africa are coming slowly and will affect our country with very high temperatures. According to the first data available to us, at least in terms of its duration, this heatwave will be reminiscent of the strong heatwave of 1987. But keep in mind that the infrastructure is very different. But it is not excluded that the heat wave will last 7-10 days».

As he said from Wednesday onwards the temperature will start to rise, but it will be harder at the weekend, when the hot air mass will overwhelm the whole of our country and the temperature will reach 45 degrees Celsius. «There will be a “play” of the hot air mass with the meltemi so caution is needed until this strong heat wave passes. It will be the strongest heatwave of the summer,» said Klearchos Marousakis.

Instructions of the Civil Protection

The General Secretariat for Civil Protection (www.civilprotection.gr) of the Ministry of Citizen Protection has informed the competent government departments involved, as well as the regions and municipalities of the country, in order to be in increased readiness for civil protection, in order to deal immediately with the effects of the prevalence of high temperatures.

At the same time, the General Secretariat for Civil Protection recommends that citizens should be particularly careful, ensuring that they take measures to protect themselves from the risks posed by the prevalence of high temperatures.

In areas where high temperatures are predicted, the GGP (www.civilprotection.gr) draws the attention of people belonging to vulnerable groups to be particularly careful in the coming days to avoid health problems, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which may be caused by the high temperatures that will prevail.

In particular, according to the instructions for self-protection from high temperatures, it is recommended that citizens:

• • Stay in cool and shady areas away from crowds, use air conditioners or fans and avoid heavy physical work in areas with high temperatures, airlessness and high humidity.
  • Avoid sunbathing, as well as walking or running in the sun, and wear a hat and sunglasses and light-coloured clothing made of a fabric that allows the skin to ventilate and facilitates the evaporation of sweat, avoiding synthetic fabrics.
  • Eat light meals with fruits and vegetables, limiting the amount of fat and the quantity of food.
  • Drink plenty of water and fruit juices, avoiding alcohol.
  • Particular care is recommended for babies and young children, as well as the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases to protect them from high temperatures.

⚠️ A noticeable rise in temperature from tomorrow, Tuesday 27/7, according to the @EMY_HNMS

‼️ Particularly high 🌡 across the country from Thursday 29/7 to Tuesday 3/8

See more 🔗 https://t.co/Y01qhQh4PV

Protection instructions ℹ️ https://t.co/FaNj76W8KX pic.twitter.com/2IJbF1kRHO

- Civil Protection GR (@GSCP_GR) July 26, 2021

Hot weather: The municipality of Athens opens air-conditioned halls

In view of the heatwave, the municipality of Athens, from Tuesday 27 July, will provide, due to the high temperatures expected, three air-conditioned rooms for the protection of vulnerable social groups.

The rooms, which, according to the relevant announcement of the municipality, will remain open daily (8 am - 9 pm) until the end of the phenomenon, for the accommodation of people of the above social groups, are located in the Friendship Clubs of Neos Kosmos, Kolokynthous and Lambrini.

All the health and safety rules provided for in accordance with the instructions of the National Public Health Organisation (EODY) for Covid -19. The use of masks will be mandatory throughout the time people are in the venue, a minimum distance of one and a half meters (1.5 meters) between people will be observed, and the maximum number of people per venue will not exceed 30. At the same time, the streetwork teams of the Athens Reception and Solidarity Centre of the municipality of Athens (K.Y.A.A.D.A.) will continue their work intensively with additional shifts during the heatwave days. During their on-site interventions with the homeless population, the streetwork teams will offer cool water and basic necessities, inform about the operation of the air-conditioned spaces available to the municipality and give instructions for their protection from the heatwave.

In a message, the president of the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE), Dimitris Papastergiou, stresses that municipalities are taking emergency protection measures in view of the upcoming heatwave and the occurrence of extreme temperatures. «We are implementing Civil Protection instructions to avoid fires. We provide air-conditioned spaces for vulnerable groups of our fellow citizens, we adjust the working hours of those employed outdoors,» he stresses.

Very high fire risk on Tuesday

Very high fire risk (risk category 4) is predicted tomorrow for five regions of the country, according to the Fire Risk Forecast Map issued by the General Secretariat of Civil Protection.

Specifically, the areas for which a very high fire risk (risk category 4) is predicted for tomorrow are the following:

-Attica Region (including the island of Kythera)

-Region of Sterea Ellada (PE Evia, PE Boeotia)

-Region of Peloponnese (Corinth, Argolida, Arcadia, Laconia)

-Western Greece Region (Region of Achaia, Region of Ilia)

-North Aegean Region (Chios, Samos, Ikaria)

The General Secretariat of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Civil Protection has informed the competent government departments involved, as well as the Regions and Municipalities of the above areas, in order to be in increased readiness for civil protection in order to deal immediately with any fire incidents.

In case they notice a fire, citizens are requested to immediately notify the Fire Service at the call number 199.

For more information and instructions on how to protect themselves from the risks of forest fires, citizens can visit the website of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection at www.civilprotection.gr.