UK tourists issued fresh Greece travel warning after islands 'rocked'
UK tourists have been issued a fresh holiday warning for Greece. European Union holiday destination visitors are being warned the mainland and its holiday islands look set to be pummelled by a barrage of storms across the country.
The country is set to be battered by storms throughout Sunday and into Monday. The Hellenic National Meteorological Service, Greece's version of the Met Office, warns: "A change in the weather is predicted in our country on Sunday (29-09-2024) and until Monday (30-09-2024) with very strong winds, a noticeable drop in temperature and with strong rains and storms in places.
"Gusty northwesterly winds of intensity seven to eight and possibly temporary locally nine Beaufort will blow from midday on Sunday in the Ionian and western mainlands and from the afternoon in central Macedonia, the Sporades, eastern Thessaly, Sterea, Evia, the region of Kythira and Crete."
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It added: "Heavy rains and storms will occur from the afternoon of Sunday (29-09-2024) until the early hours of Monday (30-09-2024) in the north-eastern parts of the country and more specifically in eastern Macedonia, Thrace and the north-east Aegean.
"A drop in temperature is expected on Sunday (29-09-2024) in Epirus, Macedonia and the Ionian Islands and on Monday (30-09-2024) throughout the country, which will be in the order of 6 to 8 degrees Celsius.
"Indicatively, it is noted that the temperature on Monday will not exceed 22 degrees in Thessaloniki and 25 degrees Celsius in Athens." Tourist-favorite locations such as Crete, Kilkis, and Thessaloniki are among the areas forecast to be most affected.
Authorities have shared safety guidelines for both locals and visitors, advising people to stay indoors during the heaviest rain and avoid regions at risk of landslides or rockfalls, especially in mountainous areas like Samaria Gorge.
The Greek Tourism Board is encouraging travelers to stay in close contact with their accommodation providers and tour operators for updates regarding any cancellations or changes to planned activities.