Greece Grapples with Severe Winter Weather: Gale-Force Winds and Heavy Snowfall Hit Nation

Severe Weather Grips Greece

Greece has been significantly impacted by a severe winter weather front on January 20th and 21st, 2026, bringing a combination of gale-force winds, heavy snowfall, and intense rainfall across various parts of the country. The Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY) issued a Red Alert, warning of a substantial deterioration in weather conditions.

Gale-Force Winds and Marine Disruptions

Strong to near-gale-force winds were a prominent feature of the weather system. Winds in the Aegean and Ionian seas, as well as the Kythera Sea, reached significant strengths, with some areas experiencing winds of 9-10 Beaufort, equivalent to approximately 100 km/h. These powerful winds led to potential disruptions in ferry services across the Aegean and Ionian seas. Westerly and southerly regions of Greece were particularly affected by these gale-force conditions.

Widespread Snowfall and Heavy Rainfall

Heavy snowfall was reported in numerous areas, primarily affecting mountainous and semi-mountainous regions of mainland Greece and the Northern Aegean. Lower-altitude areas also saw snow, notably in Western and Central Macedonia, Thessaly, and temporarily in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. Light snowfall was also observed in the low-lying plains of northern Greece, as well as mountainous areas of Euboea and Crete.

Concurrently, large volumes of rainfall and thunderstorms impacted several regions. These included the Eastern and Southern Peloponnese, Central and Eastern Central Greece, Evia, and Eastern and Southern Thessaly. The capital, Athens, and the wider Attica region experienced significant rainfall, with forecasts on January 21st estimating rainfall equivalent to a month's worth. The METEO unit of the National Observatory of Athens classified Wednesday's rainfall event as Category 5 (Extreme) on its Rainfall Potential Index (RPI), highlighting the severe risk of urban flooding, particularly in Attica.

Emergency Measures and Public Impact

In response to the severe weather, authorities implemented several precautionary measures. The 112 emergency system was activated, sending alerts to residents in regions such as Messinia, Laconia, Arcadia, Argolida, and Corinthia, urging them to limit unnecessary movement from early morning until late Wednesday afternoon. Schools across Attica and other affected regions were closed on Wednesday, January 21st, to ensure the safety of students. Civil servants in Attica were also advised to work from home where possible. Temperatures remained low throughout the period, with biting winds contributing to colder perceived conditions.