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It is expected that the cyclone that has recently caused major flooding in Italy will reach Greece on Friday afternoon. Bad weather will start from Western Greece with heavy rains and storms, which will cover most of the country by evening.

By the end of Friday rains will spread over the regions of West and Central Macedonia, Thessaly, the Sporades, the rest of mainland Greece, Evia island, the Peloponnese, Crete and the Cycladic islands.

Meteorologists expect heavy rains and storms in Greece on Saturday, forecasting that the intense weather events will not stop for the most part of mainland Greece until late at night.

The heavy rain will probably continue until noon on Sunday in the areas of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, the eastern Aegean islands and the Dodecanese.

The Central Office of Civil Defence has warned the local competent authorities and the regional governments and municipalities that they have to be in a state of high alert to deal with the consequences of the occurrence of intense weather events.

At the same time, the Office advises the public to be especially careful and take the following protective measures:

- to avoid working outdoors, in and around the sea during the phenomena

- to secure any objects that could cause damage or injury if swept away by wind or heavy rains

- to check and clean their gutters if necessary as well as the ditches around their houses to ensure water draining

- if citizens are to travel they should obtain information on the weather and the condition of the road surface, and change the schedule of the trip to avoid finding themselves in the peak of the weather events

- to avoid crossing streams and rivers on foot or by car both during the peak of the weather phenomena and in the hours after it has ended

- to strictly comply with the instructions of the competent authorities such as the traffic police, etc.

- in the case of hail, to get to a safe place and if they have animals to protect them in a safe place as well.

In connection with the expected downpours, thunderstorms and possible hail, the company that manages the Egnatia Odos has also issued a warning to drivers. It includes the following instructions:

- before a trip, drivers should inform themselves of the weather forecast and the possible traffic limitations from the local police stations in Greece. If possible, people should avoid travelling during the peak of intense weather events

- to perform the required technical check of the car (fuel, brakes, tyres, wipers, antifreeze, battery, etc.) before setting off

- to obtain reflective vests for all passengers in the vehicle

- to obtain snow chains and be able to attach them

- to be especially careful in the event of heavy rains and winds, to keep a distance from the car in front of them and drive at a speed in accordance with the conditions

- to drive the car with the "medium" headlights on

- to not stop in traffic lanes or tunnels to attach snow chains

- if they have to stop, they should do so only in the right emergency lane

- to comply with the electronic or other signs on the road

- to follow the instructions of the traffic police and the staff of the highway.

"Truck drivers, especially those of vehicles without loads should be particularly careful in terms of the instructions and avoid travelling in high wind conditions," reads the announcement. The emergency phone of Egnatia highway is 1077.