‘Bora’ Brings Snow to Northern Greece

The bad weather front, called Bora, began its advance through Greece from the north starting on Friday night, blanketing the northern Greece region of Florina in snow.

Bora’s Impact Without Major Disruptions

The snowfall, which began overnight, has so far caused no significant issues. Snow-clearing equipment and salt spreaders have been working tirelessly to keep roads open and safe.

Vehicle movement throughout the national and provincial road network in Florina prefecture requires the use of winter tires.

The Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS) warns however that the foul weather will continue to spread to other regions of Greece.

Bora Weather System Overview

The Bora weather system, driven by a low-pressure system over the Ionian Sea moving slowly eastward, is bringing severe weather to Greece.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected in several areas until Monday (December 2, 2024) particularly in Central and Northern Greece, and in lower-altitude areas of Western Macedonia. Strong to gale-force winds will prevail, and heavy snowfall is anticipated in the mountainous regions of Macedonia and Epirus.

A forecast map shows the geographical distribution and estimated total snowfall across the country until midday Sunday, December 1.

Areas Most Affected by Bora

The western and southwestern mainland, regions along the eastern mainland bordering the Aegean, Evia, the Sporades, Halkidiki, and parts of Central Macedonia will be most impacted. However, severe weather is also expected in other areas of the country, with the exception of Thrace.

On Monday, December 2, the intense phenomena will be concentrated in the eastern and southern parts of the country, including the Cyclades, Crete, and the Dodecanese, with weather improvement expected by Tuesday, December 3.

Weather Forecast for Saturday

Rain is expected nationwide, starting in the west and becoming heavy in many areas. Thunderstorms are likely in the west, east, and south, especially in the Aegean, with hail in some places.

Heavy snowfall is forecast for the mainland mountains and lower-altitude areas in Western Macedonia, including the city of Florina. In the late afternoon, particularly heavy rainfall is expected in Eastern Thessaly, and the prefectures of Imathia, Pieria, Halkidiki, and Thessaloniki, possibly extending to the Sporades.

Temperature

• Western Macedonia: -2°C to 5°C
• Northern Greece: 4°C to 14°C
• Thessaly: 6°C to 15°C
• Epirus: 10°C to 16°C
• Other mainland areas: 8°C to 18°C-19°C
• Ionian Islands: 11°C to 16°C
• Northern and northeastern Aegean islands: 11°C to 16°C
• Other islands and Crete: 12°C to 18°C-20°C

Winds

• Aegean: South-southeast, 4-5 Beaufort, strengthening to 6-7 Beaufort, shifting to northeast in the north, reaching 7-8 Beaufort, possibly 9 by evening.
• Ionian: Northwest, 4-5 Beaufort, southward turning southwest, later strengthening locally to 8 Beaufort.

Regional Forecast Highlights

Macedonia & Thrace
Rain and storms, locally strong. Snowfall in Western Macedonia, intensifying in mountain areas. Winds from the northeast reaching 8-9 Beaufort. Temperatures between 6°C and 14°C, lower in Western Macedonia.

Ionian Islands, Epirus, Western Sterea, Western Peloponnese
Rain and storms, strong at times, with snowfall in Epirus mountains. Temperatures from 8°C to 16°C.

Cyclades & Crete
Rain and storms, strong from midday in the Cyclades and western Crete. Winds 5-8 Beaufort from the south. Temperatures 12°C to 19°C.

Athens
Rain and storms, intensifying by afternoon. Winds 4-8 Beaufort from the south. Temperatures 11°C to 20°C.

Sunday, December 1, 2024

Widespread rain and storms, are forecast, which will be locally intense, especially in Central and Eastern Macedonia, Thrace, Thessaly, Sporades, Evia, and Aegean islands. Snowfall will occur in northern and central mountain areas, with thick snow in higher regions of Macedonia and Epirus.

Monday, December 2, 2024
Strong weather phenomena will persist, mostly in southern Central Macedonia, Eastern Thessaly, and the Aegean. Gradual improvement in the west and north. Snow in northern and central mountains. Temperatures will fall slightly below seasonal averages.