Greece remains under the grip of an intense heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach 40°C on Sunday, 23 August 2026, in several regions. The eastern mainland—including Sterea Ellada and Central Macedonia—as well as the Peloponnese and Thessaly, are forecast to experience peak highs of 40°C. Athens will see mercury climb to 39°C, while Thessaloniki reaches 37°C. In Western Greece, thermometers are expected to hover near 38°C.
Islands Also Affected
Island regions are not spared either: the Eastern Aegean, the Dodecanese, and southern Crete are projected to hit 37–38°C. Winds in the Aegean will strengthen up to 6 Beaufort, while increased humidity along the western coast will make the heat feel even more oppressive.
Localized Thunderstorms, No Major Disruptions Expected
Isolated thunderstorms and brief squalls are anticipated only during midday and afternoon hours over mountainous inland areas—but no significant impacts are expected.
Saturday’s Record-Breaking Heat
On Saturday, 22 August, temperatures edged higher still. According to data from the National Observatory of Athens’ automated meteorological station network (meteo.gr), several inland locations surpassed 40°C. Tríkala recorded 40.7°C—the highest—followed by Kalambaka at 40.6°C. Koromiliá in Phthiotis, Farsala, and Makrakómi all reached 40.4°C; Karditsa hit 40.3°C; and Térpillo in Kilkis and Fellí in Grevena both registered 40.2°C.
Meltemi to Bring Slight Relief Starting Monday
A strengthening meltemi wind—reaching up to 7 Beaufort in the Aegean from Monday—will bring a modest drop in temperatures across eastern areas. However, high heat persists: 37–38°C is expected across eastern mainland regions, while western Greece and the Peloponnese remain at 39–40°C. Similar conditions are forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday. From Thursday into Friday, winds may intensify further—locally reaching 8 Beaufort—leading to temporary cooling. Yet another temperature rise appears likely over the coming weekend.