After a brief mini-heatwave over the past four days, Greece is set for a dramatic weather shift — an ‘express’ storm system is moving in, bringing intense thunderstorms, hail, and lightning to 11 regions starting Friday, 24 July 2026. The sudden change will make conditions feel more like autumn than midsummer.
Severe Weather Forecast
According to Star’s meteorological forecast, Friday will bring heavy rainfall, strong thunderstorms, frequent lightning, hail, powerful winds, and gusts locally exceeding 80 km/h.
Most Affected Areas
The storm’s core will focus on Central Macedonia — particularly Thessaloniki, Chalkidiki, Pieria, and Imathia.
In Attica, skies will remain mostly clear and sunny during the morning. But by early afternoon, cloud cover will rapidly increase, followed by isolated thunderstorms, rain, and gradually intensifying storms — especially from late afternoon into the evening. Conditions are expected to ease after nightfall. Temperatures across Attica will range from 20°C to 32°C.
Thessaloniki and wider Central Macedonia will see highly unstable weather: heavy rain, squalls, thunderstorms, and possible localized hail. Temperatures there will range from 18°C to 26°C.
Expanded Impact Zone
Meteorologist Matina Berou noted that from midday Friday, severe weather will spread further to include:
- Eastern Thessaly (Larissa, Volos, Pelion)
- Skiathos, Skopelos, and Alonissos
- Central and northern Evia
- Eastern Sterea Ellada
- Samothrace, Lemnos, and Thasos
A red-level weather warning has been issued for the Sporades islands, coastal areas of eastern Thessaly, and central and northern Evia — where the most extreme conditions are expected. Berou emphasized that ‘within just a few hours, rainfall totals could match what normally falls across an entire summer.’
Areas Requiring Extra Caution
Particular vigilance is advised for:
- Chalkidiki
- Pelion
- The Sporades
- Evias
Northerly winds at sea will reach up to Force 7 on the Beaufort scale, and temperatures nationwide will drop noticeably — staying well below 30°C in most areas.
Attica Also in the Line of Fire
Meteorologist Yiannis Kallianos, speaking to Mega TV, confirmed that Attica will also be significantly affected. Thunderstorms — some locally intense — are expected from late afternoon through late evening.
The northern and northeastern parts of Attica — including Dionysos, Agios Stefanos, Varnavas, Marathon, Parnitha, and Penteli — could receive as much rain in just a few hours as typically falls across the entire month of July. Hail is also possible. Storm activity is also expected in central Athens.
Saturday Outlook
By Saturday, the weather system will weaken considerably. Residual activity will linger mainly over the northeastern Aegean islands, eastern Magnesia, and the Sporades and central/northern Evia — fading completely by morning. From noon onward, conditions are expected to improve across most of the country.