UK tourists face Greece and Cyprus holidays being 'ruined' as problem hits 'earlier than expected'
UK tourists face their holidays to Greece being ruined after a change in the European Union holiday hotspot which has been reported to have hit earlier than thought. Several Greek cities have been blanketed in snow as storm Alexandros sweeps across the country with severe weather conditions.
The low-pressure system, which is expected to reach Cyprus, has left remarkable scenes in its wake. Snowfall has blanketed Florina, Kozani, and the surrounding areas, transforming the landscape. The weather system brought widespread snowfall to several regions in northern Greece, as reported by forecastweather.gr.
Flurries of the white stuff - which has also been forecast for the UK this week - had already covered Pisoderi and Nymfaio in Florina, Vasilitsa and Samarina in Grevena, and Pentalofos in Kozani by early Friday evening, creating wintry conditions. Snowfall was also reported in areas at lower altitudes.
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The deepest snow accumulation was recorded in mountainous Vlasti, reaching 10 centimetres. Snow ploughs were rolled out with municipal teams from Kozani and Eordaia, alongside the Western Macedonia Region authorities, working to keep roads clear and accessible.
Snow was seen across Larissa’s mountainous regions, such as Prophet Elias in Livadi Elassona, where the entire landscape was transformed into a winter wonderland. According to an updated Severe Weather warning issued by the National Meteorological Service (EMY), the rain may be intense in the eastern Aegean and Dodecanese islands, and will last until Saturday night.
Several areas at higher altitudes have also seen snow, making snow chains or snow tyres necessary on the roads of Imathia and parts of Western Macedonia. The areas that saw the biggest quantities of rain up until noon were on the island of Evia and the Sporades islands.
The village of Steni on Evia recorded 99mm of rain, while Setta, also in Evia, had 88mm, according to reports.