Bad weather Hope: Heavy snow and bitter cold are coming – live updates on the phenomenon

The weather will deteriorate rapidly in the coming hours, with bad weather expected to hit our country in two waves, characterized mainly by very low temperatures and snowfall even in low-lying areas.

As stated in the emergency bulletin on dangerous weather conditions issued by the National Meteorological Service, the first wave of bad weather will hit our country on Saturday (January 22) and the second, which is the strongest, between Monday and Wednesday.

Bad weather Hope: Polar temperatures

One of the main characteristics of “Hope” is the gradual drop in temperature across the country from Saturday, with temperatures reaching very low levels from Monday to Wednesday, as in some areas they will not exceed 2 to 3 degrees Celsius.

Frost will also be severe, especially in central and northern parts of the country, where it will be widespread, with areas mainly in the northwest experiencing sub-zero temperatures throughout the day.

Bad weather Hope: Snow across the country

Heavy snowfall is expected to be intense, as on Saturday (22/1) it is expected to snow even in low-lying areas, initially in Macedonia and Thrace and gradually in Thessaly, eastern Sterea and Euboea.

Specifically, in Macedonia and Thrace, local cloud cover with sleet or snow is expected, and the phenomena will gradually weaken, while in most areas they will cease. In the rest of the country, increased cloud cover with rain or sleet is expected, sporadic storms in the eastern and southern coastal and seaside areas, and snowfall in the mountainous and semi-mountainous areas and, after midday, gradually even in the lowland areas of Thessaly, eastern Sterea, and Euboea.

Towards the evening, snowfall will begin throughout the Aegean Sea and will be heavy in places in the central and northern parts. The phenomena will weaken in the west in the afternoon. Winds will blow from the north at 5 to 7 and gradually in the Ionian Sea locally at 8 Beaufort.

In Crete and the Dodecanese, westerly winds of 5 to 7 Beaufort will blow until noon. The temperature will drop significantly, by 5 to 8 degrees Celsius, mainly in central and northern areas, and will remain low. Maximum temperatures will not exceed 3 to 5 degrees in the north, 6 to 8 degrees in the eastern mainland, 11 to 13 degrees in the rest of the country, and only in the southern islands will they reach 15 degrees Celsius. Frost will occur on the mainland, which will be locally strong in the north during the evening hours.

The situation will be similar on Sunday, with temporary snowfall in Macedonia and Thrace, while the rest of the country will see cloudy skies with rain or sleet. snowfall will occur in mountainous and semi-mountainous areas as well as in lowland areas in the center, which in Euboea and the Aegean will be heavy at times.

Winds will blow north-northwest at 5 to 7 Beaufort, weakening slightly from midday onwards. At night, north winds will strengthen again in the north. Temperatures will remain very low, with a noticeable drop in the south as well. Frost will occur on the mainland, which will be strong in the northwest in the morning and evening hours.

Bad weather Hope – Monday, January 24, the second wave

On Monday (January 24), snowfall will intensify and will be locally dense, initially in the central and northern Aegean, Euboea, eastern Thessaly, and eastern mainland Greece, and gradually in the eastern Peloponnese and throughout the southern Aegean Sea to Crete and the Dodecanese.

Intermittent snowfall will occur in Macedonia and Thrace, while on Tuesday the phenomena will subside in the north of the country but continue in the rest of the regions.

On Monday and Tuesday, stormy to very stormy north-northeast winds (8 to 9 Beaufort) will prevail in eastern Greece, mainly in the Aegean region.

More details on the development of bad weather in regular and special weather reports, on the EMY website (www.emy.gr) and the EMY Twitter account (@EMY_HNMS).

We recommend that you take into account the instructions of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection regarding severe weather conditions. In any case, you should be aware that the Hellenic National Meteorological Service takes into account all available forecast data and, after evaluating them, issues special forecast and warning bulletins, as well as the relevant analysis of the expected weather developments.

Bad weather Hope: Armed Forces on standby

An emergency meeting chaired by Deputy Minister of National Defense Nikos Hardalias on the upcoming storm Elpida was held yesterday, Thursday, at the Ministry of National Defense. The meeting was attended by the Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, General Konstantinos Floros, the Deputy Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, Vice Admiral Ioannis Drymousis, Director of Branch A/HNDGS Lieutenant General Ioannis Tsiopoulos, and Director of the National Operations Center of the HNDGS Captain Georgios Floros.

As announced, an update was provided on meteorological data and the latest forecast models, and guidelines were given for the Armed Forces to maintain to be on full alert to assist the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, if required during the course of the phenomena. More specifically, in order to deal with the expected deterioration of the weather with the possible occurrence of extreme phenomena, the provisions of the «Xenokratis» plan and the general plans of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, relevant departments and resources are being kept on standby. In addition, from Saturday, January 22, all «Deukalion» departments will be on standby for intervention and immediate response at half the expected time, while all planned aircraft and other means for undertaking surveillance, search and rescue missions, if required, will be on immediate standby.

The Ministry of National Defense, the announcement adds, is in constant communication and coordination and remains on full alert to provide Civil Protection with all possible assistance for immediate intervention in addressing any problems arising from the upcoming bad weather.

Bad weather Hope – Civil Protection guidelines

Recommendations to citizens to be particularly cautious, taking measures to protect themselves from the dangers posed by severe weather conditions, in view of the bad weather that is expected to hit the country in the coming days.

The General Secretariat for Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection has informed the relevant state services, as well as the country's regions and municipalities, to be on high alert for civil protection, in order to immediately address the effects of severe weather events.

The recommendations of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection for bad weather Elpida

In areas where heavy rainfall, storms, or strong winds are forecast, the General Secretariat for Civil Protection recommends that citizens:

• Secure objects that could cause damage or injury if swept away by severe weather conditions.
• Ensure that the gutters and downspouts of residences are not blocked and are functioning properly.
• Avoid crossing streams and creeks, on foot or by vehicle, during storms and rainfall, as well as for several hours after they have ended.
• Avoid outdoor work and activities in marine and coastal areas during severe weather events (risk of lightning strikes).
• Take immediate shelter during a hailstorm. Take refuge in a building or car and do not leave the safe area until you are sure that the storm has passed. Hailstorms can also be very dangerous for animals.
• Avoid walking under large trees, hanging signs, and generally areas where light objects (e.g., flower pots, broken glass, etc.) may become detached and fall to the ground (e.g., under balconies).
• Follow the instructions of the local authorities, such as the traffic police, etc., to the letter.

Also, in areas where snowfall and frost are expected:

If they are traveling by car:

• Be informed about the weather and road conditions
• Have snow chains in their vehicle and a full tank of fuel.
• Travel, if necessary, preferably during the day, choosing main roads.
• Inform their relatives about the route they are going to take
• Change their travel plans to avoid the peak of weather events.
• Follow the instructions of the local authorities, such as the traffic police, etc., to the letter.

If traveling on foot:

• Dress in several layers of light clothing instead of one heavy garment and wear appropriate footwear to avoid injuries due to slippery conditions.
• Avoid unnecessary travel during peak periods (heavy snowfall, frost conditions).

For information and announcements regarding the current situation and the passability of the road network due to flooding or snowfall and frost, citizens can visit the Hellenic Police website. www.astynomia.gr.

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