As we are all well aware, Europe, especially the western regions, are in the grip of an extreme heat dome, already leading to the breaking of dozens of temperature records, with the consequences having led to over 1,300 deaths in Europe so far, the spread of forest fires and damage to infrastructure such as the power grids.

Now, the effect of the heat dome is slowly spreading to western, central and southern Europe, as well as the Balkans, affecting more than 150 million people. In Greece, the mercury is starting to gradually rise, giving maximum temperatures in some regions of 37° Celsius. However, the northerly Meltemi winds are thankfully having a cooling effect on overall temperatures.

According to the National Meteorological Service, the forecast is for the highest temperatures to be found on the mainland, in the Ionian Sea and on the islands of the Eastern Aegean. Winds will blow from northerly directions at 3 to 5 Beaufort and in the Aegean locally up to 6 Beaufort. No significant change in the weather expected. 

Meteorological and health authorities are calling on the public to avoid unnecessary travel during the hottest hours of the day, to consume plenty of fluids, to stay in cool areas and to pay special attention to the elderly, young children and people with chronic diseases, as high temperatures are expected to continue in the coming days.