The first phase of the «Medea» storm, which began on Saturday, is expected to peak today, bringing snow to Attica and the northern suburbs of Athens, among other areas, from Sunday afternoon onwards.
More specifically, according to forecasts by the National Observatory of Athens/Meteo.gr, snowfall is initially expected to be heavy at times in Central Greece and further north, as well as in the rest of the mountainous and semi-mountainous areas of the mainland. After Sunday afternoon, the phenomena will gradually weaken in the north and be limited to the east and south, with snowfall gradually occurring at lower altitudes, including the northern suburbs of Athens.
Rain or sleet is also expected from Sunday morning to Sunday afternoon in the lowlands of Western and Eastern Central Greece, the Peloponnese, and the coastal areas of Epirus, while storms will occur in the morning hours in the Ionian Islands and possibly later in the Cyclades.
In addition to the above phenomena, during Sunday, the storm «Medea» will cause very low temperatures in central and northern areas, with heavy frost in some areas in the north and widespread frost in Western Macedonia, as well as stormy north winds initially in the North Aegean and gradually in the Central Aegean.
Traffic interruption on Parnithos Avenue
According to the Hellenic Police, traffic on Parnithos Avenue was suspended due to snowfall, from the cable car station to the casino. At the same time, Trucks weighing over 3.5 tons are now permitted to travel on the Athens-Lamia national highway in the direction of Lamia.
Traffic interruption due to snowfall on Fylis Avenue
According to the Hellenic Police, traffic was suspended on Fylis Avenue, from the height of the Monastery of Kleiston, in the direction of Dervenochoria, due to snowfall.
No problems with snowfall in Thessaloniki and other major cities in the Region of Central Macedonia
Snow and particularly low temperatures were brought by the storm «Medea» to Northern Greece, as well as to most of the country.
Snowfall continues at a reduced intensity in the Region of Central Macedonia, and problems have only arisen on the mountain road network, where the use of snow chains is necessary for vehicles to circulate.
The Traffic Police stops traffic where it is difficult or impossible for vehicles to move.
The roads in large cities and Thessaloniki are clear, Charalambos Stergiadis, head of the Civil Protection Department of the Region of Central Macedonia, told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA).
From midday onwards, according to information provided by the meteorological services, the snowfall will stop, but frost will prevail, so our recommendation is to exercise particular caution and patience, emphasized Mr. Stergiadis.
Work crews and special vehicles remained on standby throughout the night in the municipalities of the Thessaloniki urban complex to keep the roads open.
Snow chains are essential in the Municipality of Oreokastro
Vehicles are required to use snow chains when driving on roads in the municipality of Oreokastro.
Due to the difficult conditions, the municipal authorities advise drivers to be particularly careful, to limit their travel to what is absolutely necessary, and to use snow chains.
It also reminds citizens that in case of emergency, they can call the telephone numbers announced by the municipal authority of Oreokastro and posted on the main website of the Municipality of Oreokastro (oraiokastro.gr).
Schools closed tomorrow, Monday, February 15, in the municipality of Pylaia-Chortiatis
Due to the prolonged frost and very low temperatures, schools in all municipal districts of the municipality of Pylaia-Chortiatis will remain closed tomorrow, Monday, February 15, to prevent accidents (Panorama, Pylaia, Hortiatis, Asvestochori, Exochi, and Filyro).
Municipal daycare centers will also remain closed.
According to an announcement, the municipality of Pylaia-Chortiatis remains on 24-hour alert to monitor and respond to weather conditions.
Regarding the operation of private schools, interested parties should contact their school's administration.
In which parts of the Central Macedonia Region are anti-skid devices necessary?
According to the General Regional Police Directorate of Central Macedonia, due to snowfall and frost, snow chains are required at the following locations:
-Imathia
throughout the national and provincial road network of the Regional Unit of Imathia,
Kilkis
▪throughout the national and provincial road network of the Regional Unit of Kilkis, except for the New Athens-Evzoni National Road (P.A.TH.E.)
-Pella
▪throughout the national and provincial road network of the Regional Unit of Pella,
Vehicle traffic was suspended on the road network from the local community of Kerasia to the Voras ski center.
-Pieria
▪from kilometer 17 to kilometer 44 of the Katerini–Elassona national highway
▪from the 23rd kilometer of the Katerini – Elatochori provincial road
▪Provincial road Kolindros – Ryakion – Kastania
-Serres
▪on the provincial road Serres – Chrysopigi – Oreini
▪on the provincial road Serres – Eleonas – Ano Vrontos
▪on the provincial road Nigrita – Lagkadi
▪on the Serres–Lailia provincial road (ski center)
▪Road network of the local communities of Kapnofyto, Achladochori, and Karydochori in the municipality of Sintiki.
▪in the local communities of Agriani, Agios Christoforos, Anastasia, Sfelino, Skopia, and the Angista Railway Station in the Municipality of Nea Zichni.
▪in the local communities of Iliokomi, Kormista, and Angista in the municipality of Amphipolis
-Chalkidiki
▪from kilometer 31 to kilometer 47 of the new Thessaloniki-Moudania national road (Lakkoma junction to Sozopol junction)
▪from kilometer 38 to kilometer 110 of the Thessaloniki–Ierissos national highway
▪from kilometer 38 to kilometer 62 of the Thessaloniki–Poligiros national highway
▪from kilometer 31 to kilometer 46 of the Poligiros–Ierissos provincial road
▪from kilometer 33 to kilometer 38 of the provincial road Moudania – Kassandra Ring Road
▪from kilometer 17 to kilometer 37 of the provincial road between Rentina and Ouranoupoli
▪on the provincial road Metamorfosis – Metangitsio
▪on the provincial road between Vavdos and Simantron
▪on the provincial road between Sano and Doumpion
▪on the provincial road between Neochori and Varvara
▪on the provincial road Arnaia – Stanos
▪on the provincial road between Poligiros and Planes
▪from kilometer 1 to kilometer 17 of the Paleochori – Agios Nikolaos provincial road
▪in the municipal districts of Poligiros, Taxiarchis, Vavdos, Sani, Palaiokastro, and Doumpia
▪from the Vavdos intersection to Vavdos
▪on the forest roads of Paleochora – Taxiarchis, Polygyros – Taxiarchis, Vrastamon – Taxiarchis & Fourkas – Kassandria
A temporary ban on all vehicles is in effect from kilometer 54 to kilometer 85 of the old Thessaloniki-Ierissos national road (via Taxiarchis).
Heavy snowfall throughout the region of Western Macedonia
The snowfall that began on Saturday afternoon has not caused any serious problems in the Region of Western Macedonia so far. Eighty snowplows of all types are scattered throughout the region's national and provincial road network, trying to keep all roads open. According to the head of Civil Protection for the region, Prodromos Aslanidis, the snow depth in the lowlands is around 25 cm, while in the mountains above 800 meters, it reaches 35 cm.
As a precautionary measure, the Western Macedonia Police Department has banned trucks weighing over 3.5 tons from traveling on the Egnatia Highway from Polymylos, Kozani, to Ioannina, and on the Siatista-Ieropigi and Ioannina-Kozani vertical axes, effective Saturday evening.5 tons has been banned along the entire length of the Egnatia Highway from Polymylos, Kozani, to Ioannina, on the Siatista-Ieropigi (A-29) and Florina-Niki (A-27) vertical axes. Trucks are also banned from the entire provincial network of the Regional Units of Kozani, Grevena, Kastoria, and Florina.
Vehicles traveling on the Egnatia motorway, on perpendicular roads, and throughout the provincial road network must use snow chains or snow tires, while all EKAV units are on standby to respond to incidents requiring immediate access to health facilities. According to the announcement by the General Police Directorate of Western Macedonia, any citizen who wishes to be vaccinated against coronavirus and needs assistance to get to a vaccination center, as well as any citizen who needs help getting to a hospital or medical center (e.g., kidney patients for dialysis, etc.), can call 100 so that the Western Macedonia Police Department can assist in their safe transportation.
The temperature ranges between -2 and -3 degrees Celsius, which makes snow removal more difficult.
Only with snow chains can cars travel in eastern Macedonia and Xanthi
Snow chains are required early in the morning for all vehicles traveling on most of the national and provincial road network in the regions of eastern Macedonia and Xanthi due to heavy snowfall since last night.
Both the crews of the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace and the technical crews of the local municipalities in the Regional Units of Kavala and Drama are making great efforts to keep the main roads open, especially those leading to hospitals in the two cities, as well as the main roads in urban centers.
From early in the morning, all trucks weighing over 3.5 tons have been banned from traveling on the Egnatia Highway, on the section that runs through the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
Vehicles belonging to the municipalities of Kavala and Drama work throughout the night and from early in the morning, continuously spreading salt and salt water to keep the main roads open.
Particular caution is required on the mountainous provincial road network of Kavala, Drama, and Xanthi, where vehicles can only travel with snow chains, while several roads remain closed.
Finally, by decision of the mayor of Drama, Christodoulos Mamsakos, tomorrow, Monday, all primary and secondary schools in the municipality of Drama, as well as nurseries and daycare centers, will remain closed due to the severe frost, snow, and low temperatures prevailing in the area.
The weather scene in Evros
Low temperatures and strong winds, combined with snowfall that has continued since Saturday evening, are creating snowstorms in some areas, setting the weather scene in the prefecture of Evros. Given the National Meteorological Service's forecasts for the arrival of «Medea,» the mechanisms of both the Regional Unit of Evros and the five municipalities of Alexandroupolis, Soufli, Didymoteicho, Orestiada, and Samothrace, were on standby, and from the moment the severe weather phenomena appeared, salt spreaders and snowplows were on alert along the road network, intervening to keep it open.
As far as temperatures are concerned, the mercury will not exceed -3 degrees in Alexandroupoli, -6 in Soufli, -4 in Didymoteicho and Orestiada, and -7 on the island of Samothraki.
All of Fthiotida turned white
Heavy snowfall is affecting the Athens-Lamia national road network from the area of Yliki and Kastro to the border between Fthiotida and Magnesia in Agioi Theodoroi. In the three critical sections, Martino, Kameni Vourla, and Stylida, snowplows have been working hard over the last few hours to keep the road open.
Specifically, from 5:00 a.m., weather conditions intensified in the Martino area, and snowplows had to spread salt and remove snow from the road in order for traffic on the national road network to flow normally.
The same situation prevails in the area of Kamena Vourla and in the area of Stylida. Traffic on the national road network is minimal, making it easier for snowplows to operate and clear the roads.
Across the rest of the network, a real battle is being fought throughout the night by the Region and Municipalities‘ machinery to keep the roads open from Lamia to Amfissa in the difficult area of Bralos, the road from Lamia to Domokos and from Lamia to Karpenisi.
It is characteristic that it started snowing shortly after midnight, but the snowfall intensified after 5:00 a.m., when even in the city of Lamia the snow reached 5 inches.
At times, the police had to impose restrictive measures until the machines removed the snow and spread salt. At this time, there are no problems on any of the roads, but drivers should still carry snow chains with them.
Across the rest of the provincial network, municipal machinery began working at dawn to clear access routes, particularly to the mountain villages of western Fthiotida, where snowfall has reached 30 cm. The snowfall is particularly heavy, but regional authorities are expecting a second wave after midday.
Finally, there have been power outages in villages in western Fthiotida since 4:00 a.m., and PPC crews are already on site to locate the fault and repair it.
According to the Deputy Regional Governor of Fthiotida, Thanasis Karakatzas, «the situation is completely under control with no problems,» as he meaningfully adds that «we all need to be careful, as the second wave is expected to be more intense in the region. We are on full alert and have the personnel and equipment in place to respond.».
Heavy snowfall in the city of Larissa
Snowfall continues in the city of Larissa, covering the entire area in white.
Temperatures are low and snowfall is heavy due to the onset of bad weather caused by «Medea,» while machinery from the municipality of Larissa and the Region of Thessaly is working to keep the road network open throughout the prefecture.
At the same time, due to bad weather conditions, there has been a ban on all trucks with a payload of over 3.5 tons in the following locations:
– on the Larissa–Kozani national highway
-on the new Larissa – Elassona – Kozani national road
-on the Larissa-Karditsa provincial road, along its entire length.
Vehicles are allowed to circulate using snow chains at the following points:
-from the 34th km to the 70th km of the new Larissa-Kozani national road,
-from the 40th km to the 63rd km of the Katerini-Elassona national road
-throughout the entire provincial road network of Elassona
-throughout the entire provincial road network of Farsala
-on the provincial road Pyrgetos – Kranias Tembon
-on the provincial road of Anatolis – Megalovryso Agia
-on the provincial road between Skithro and Kalamaki Agia, from the local community of Elafos to the local community of Skithro
-on the provincial road between Stomio and Karitsa, Agia
on the provincial road Kokkino Nero – Agiokampos (coastal road), from the local community of Velika (Vrachaki location) to the local community of Kokkino Nero,
-on the provincial road between Dimitra and Anatoli, from the local community of Dimitra to the local community of Anatoli,
-on the provincial road Stomio – Omolio and
-in the Cave of the Municipality of Tempi.
Heavy snowfall in Volos – Pelion covered in white
Volos is also covered in white, with snow falling continuously since the early hours of the morning and the temperature dropping to -1 degree, but due to the very strong winds, it feels 3 to 4 degrees colder.
There are no problems with snow throughout the urban complex of Volos, but above the ring road, where the snow cover exceeds 5 centimeters in the northeastern neighborhoods with narrow streets, continued snowfall will create problems.
In the suburbs of Volos towards Pelion, namely Ano Volos, Anakasia, Agia Triada, Alli Meria, all the way to Portaria and Makrinitsa, snowfall is very heavy and snow reaches 10 centimeters.
The entire Pelion Peninsula is covered in snow, and some areas are experiencing blizzards, such as in Chania, where it has been snowing continuously since yesterday and the snowfall intensified throughout the night. The snow depth has exceeded 20 centimeters and the temperature has dropped to -9 degrees Celsius.
Throughout the Pelion road network, the roads are kept open, but with great effort, as heavy snowfall prevails everywhere.
On the roads of Pelion, mainly on the Volos-Chania-Zagora and Volos-Mileon-Tsagarada axes, more than 50 snowplows and salt spreaders are working to clear the network and de-ice the road surface.-Tsagarada, more than 50 snowplows and salt spreaders are working to clear the network and de-ice the road surface, but the use of snow chains is mandatory from Ano Volos and above due to frozen snow.
Traffic on the provincial road between Kanalia and Keramidi is moving with great difficulty due to chains.
Heavy snow is also falling in Othry and throughout the Almyros mountains, while in Anavra the snow has exceeded 20 centimeters and snowplows are working hard to keep the roads open.
On the PATHE motorway and along the entire length of the motorway in Magnesia, it is snowing continuously and great caution is required, even though snow removal is being carried out, on the semi-mountainous passes of Aerino near Velestino and on the bends of Agioi Theodoroi, due to low temperatures and frost.
Heavy snow and low temperatures in Epirus
Snowfall began shortly after 8 a.m. in the city of Ioannina, while heavy snow has been falling since midnight in the areas of Metsovo, Konitsa, Zagori, Pogoni, and Tzoumerka. Municipal and Civil Protection machinery is working non-stop to keep the provincial network open. Snowfall began yesterday afternoon at 1,200 meters and above, and then descended to lower altitudes.
In mountainous Arta, where snowfall is heavy, there are seven villages and 40 settlements in the municipality of Georgios Karaiskakis, where municipal machinery has been on the roads since midnight.
The drop in temperature is noticeable throughout the continent.
Up to one meter of snow in the Trikala regional unit
Snowfall continues in Western Thessaly today, where people and machines fought throughout the night to keep the roads open. In the Regional Unit of Trikala, according to statements made to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, the deputy regional governor of Trikala, Mr. Christos Michalakis, said that the snow depth reaches up to one meter in some mountainous areas. A total of 51 machines from the Regional Unit of Trikala are spreading salt and trying to keep the road network open. According to the General Regional Police Directorate of Thessaly, trucks with a gross weight of over 3.5 tons and other heavy vehicles (buses, etc.) are prohibited from traveling in both directions at the following points:
– from the 28th km of the Trikala-Ioannina national road (Mourgkanio junction) to the 65th km of the Trikala-Ioannina national road (Malakasi junction),
– from the 1st km of the Mourgkaniou–Grevena national road (Mourgkaniou junction) to the 24th km of the Mourgkaniou–Grevena national road,
– on the Trikala–Karditsa national road, along its entire length,
– from km 22 to km 75 of the Trikala–Arta national road (Alexiou Bridge) and
– from the 4th km to the 55th km of the provincial road between Pyli and Mesochora.
Prefecture of Karditsa
With 62 machines, the Regional Unit of Karditsa is fighting its own battle against the onslaught of bad weather caused by “Medea.” According to statements made to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA) by the Deputy Regional Governor of Karditsa, Konstantinos Nousios, the snow depth in the area of Lake Plastira ranges from 60 to 70 centimeters, while in the lowlands and in the city of Karditsa it reaches 30 centimeters. According to the Thessaly Regional Police Directorate, all trucks over 3.5 tons and other heavy vehicles (buses, etc.) in both directions of traffic throughout the entire road network of the prefecture.
Due to snowfall, the use of snow chains is mandatory throughout the entire road network of the prefecture.
(by P. Drakopoulos, G. Palamiotis, I. Skylakos, I. Papadimitriou, M. Tzora, A. Zoïs, S. Koutavas, V. Lolidis, L. Papadimitriou)
