A summer-like weather pattern is expected on Sunday, March 16, 2025, with temperatures reaching up to 30 degrees Celsius in Northern Crete. However, this early heatwave won’t last long as heavy winter conditions are forecasted within the next 24 hours. The warm weather will be accompanied by African dust affecting areas like the Peloponnese and Sterea Ellada significantly. Concentrations of dust near the surface may exceed 100 μg/m³.
The transfer of African dust continues according to AtmoHub, intensifying through Sunday. Temperatures in Attica are expected to reach 26-27°C over the next two days. From Tuesday (March 18), however, the weather will cool down sharply with temperatures dropping to around 15°C, bringing intense rainfall and even snow in mountainous regions.
This phenomenon isn’t unprecedented but unusually high temperatures typically occur later in March rather than mid-month. Gradually, from Friday (March 21), temperatures are expected to return to normal levels of 15-16°C. Meteorologists emphasize sunny skies mixed with African dust across most areas on Sunday. In Athens, large intervals of sunshine are anticipated with temperatures ranging from 12°C to 27°C.
In Thessaloniki, scattered clouds are predicted with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 27°C. The Hellenic National Meteorological Service forecasts sparse clouds becoming denser in some areas, especially in Western Macedonia where localized rains or showers and isolated thunderstorms could occur.
From Monday onward, scattered clouds turning denser in parts of the country will bring temporary local rains and isolated thunderstorms. Weak snowfall may occur in northern mountainous areas. By Tuesday, increased cloudiness with local rains and sporadic thunderstorms is expected initially in the Ionian Sea, western, and northern continental areas, gradually spreading elsewhere.
Winds will blow from northern directions at 5-6 Beaufort scale, locally 6-7 Beaufort over seas and possibly strengthening to 8-9 Beaufort in the northern Aegean by midday. A noticeable temperature drop of 6-8°C is forecast.