Weather Alert: Heavy Rain, Thunderstorms and Saharan Dust Hit Greece

The weather deteriorates again as heavy rain and thunderstorms arrive from midnight Wednesday (04/02/2026), accompanied by Saharan dust. According to meteorologist Christina Rigou on Mega TV’s main news bulletin, thunderstorms are expected across the Ionian Islands, Epirus, western Central Greece, and western and southern Peloponnese. Stronger storms are forecast for Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, especially in the eastern Aegean and Dodecanese on Thursday (05/02/2026). While rainfall eases over mainland areas by noon and conditions gradually improve, intense rain will persist across the eastern island regions overnight. Light snow is possible in western and northern mountainous areas. Saharan dust transport is also favored. Temperatures will dip slightly, ranging between 14–17°C inland and up to 18°C in Crete. Winds will be westerly to southwesterly—up to 5–7 Beaufort in the Ionian Sea (strongest early morning), and southerly 6–7 Beaufort in the Aegean. In Attica, rain is expected all day, with isolated thunderstorms mainly in western and northern parts during the morning. Temperatures: 13–17°C; winds: southwesterly, 5–7 Beaufort. In Thessaloniki, unsettled weather with rain and morning thunderstorms, improving by evening. Temperatures: 10–14°C; winds: southerly at 5 Beaufort early, becoming light and variable later. Friday (06/02/2026) brings rain to western, central and northern mainland areas, plus the eastern Aegean; scattered thunderstorms expected in the eastern Aegean in the morning and western Greece at noon. Temperatures rise to 15–18°C inland and up to 20°C in Crete; winds westerly/southerly, 4–6 Beaufort—reaching 7 Beaufort in the southern Aegean afternoon. Saturday (07/02/2026) features alternating sun and cloud, with light intermittent rain in western Greece. Unseasonably high temperatures: 19–21°C inland, up to 25°C along northern coastal Crete. Winds: westerly to southwesterly, 3–5 Beaufort (6 Beaufort in the Aegean). Forecast maps from meteo show cumulative rainfall for Thursday and the estimated geographical spread of Saharan dust and muddy rain during midday hours.