Residents and tourists headed to Greece this weekend are being urged to brace for another sweltering heatwave. A “heat dome” phenomenon, a pressure system acting like the lid on a pot, leading to prolonged high temperatures, is moving eastwards from Western Europe, bringing temperatures that could exceed 40C (104F), beginning on Sunday (July 6).
Temperatures in eastern mainland areas of Greece, including the plain of Thessaly, Central Greece, the Peloponnese, Attica and Athens, will exceed 40 degrees Celsius, potentially reaching 41-42 degrees Celsius from Monday. The Cyclades and northern Crete, meanwhile, will experience milder temperatures. The heat dome, characterised by warm air masses that remain stationary due to strong anticyclonic pressures, will approach from the west, where, in recent days, there was an invasion of warm air masses from Africa.
Weather maps from WXCharts show that temperatures in the Greek mainland near Thessaloniki temperatures could hit 42C, while near Larissa, it could reach up to 41C, while near Athens, highs could reach between 35 and 37C.
While temperatures in Greece are not expected to be quite as above normal as elsewhere in Europe, around 5-6C above temperatures expected for early July, Kostas Lagouvardos, scientific director of meteo.gr, has still issued a public health warning.
“Even so, the thermal burden will be great for public health, the heatwave requires attention for vulnerable people and all of us, especially in cities, where temperatures rise significantly and mainly do not fall much at night, causing discomfort,” the expert said.
This second intense heatwave comes as Greece and its popular holiday islands have already faced scorching temperatures in the last week. As temperatures approached 40C, a large wildfire broke out south of Athens last Thursday, leading authorities to issue evacuation orders and shut down parts of the coastal road linking the Greek capital to Sounion, location of the ancient Temple of Poseidon, a major tourist attraction.
In Spain, British tourists are also being warned that they could expect to see temperatures rarely below 32C across the entire country for July 15, according to new weather maps. The highest temperatures look set to be seen in the region around Seville, a city often called the “frying pan of Europe” due to its extremely hot summer temperatures. This trend looks set to continue in July, as according to WXCharts, temperatures of up to 46C could be seen, with the region covered by rarely seen patches of white on the maps.
The UK looks set to face another week of fierce temperatures next week, with things starting to heat up from Wednesday, July 9, with top temperatures of 27-29C in the south and Midlands. The mercury is set to rise up to 33C in Birmingham and 32C in London by 6pm on Friday, July 11.