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Much of Northern Greece is covered with snow, even the valleys, and coastal areas are rainy and cold. This morning has brought heavy snowfalls in most urban centres in Macedonia. Snowfalls have been particularly abundant in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, accompanied by gale-force northerly winds.

Although temperatures have risen slightly since yesterday, it is still pretty chilly. In Florina it is -4°C, in Kozani -2°C, in Kavala it reached 0°C.

In and around Thessaloniki, the precipitation is a mix of sleet and snow, it is overcast and the temperature is 4°C.

Police said that vehicles must use chains on most roads in Macedonia .

Highway traffic is normal for the time being, but drivers are advised to have their chains at hand as the snowfall continues.

It will be cloudy today in the eastern Aegean, with showers and storms, which will later spread all over the country.

4-6 Beaufort south and southwesterly winds will be blowing onshore, reaching 7 or even 8 Beaufort at sea.

Tomorrow will give us a similar weather picture, with rain, storms and winds in the western part of the country and the Eastern Aegean, and snowfalls in the central and northern high-altitude areas.

The northeastern regions will be buffeted by east to northeast winds, 4-6 on the Beaufort scale, which will gradually decrease. The rest of the country will experience west and southwesterly winds of force 4-6, sometimes even up to 7 Beaufort. Temperatures will remain the same.

Tuesday will come with increasingly overcast skies, with showers and thunderstorms mainly in the western, northern and eastern mainland. The mountainous areas will see more snow. Temperatures in central and southern Greece will slightly increase.

Tips from Civil Defence

Civil Defence advises citizens to be especially cautious in the worsening weather. The incumbent regional and municipal services will be on the alert around the clock.

Civil Defence recommends that people in the areas where driving rains, storms or winds are expected, take the following measures:

• Remove or fasten any objects that can be swept by the wind and cause damage or injuries.
• Make sure that the gutters of their homes are not clogged.
• Avoid crossing streams either on foot or in a vehicle during storms or rainfall.
• Avoid outdoor activities in coastal regions or at sea in bad weather.
• Exercise extreme caution in hailstorms. Immediately enter a building or a vehicle, and stay in until the hail stops. Hail can be dangerous for animals, too.
• Avoid walking under tall trees and signboards or in places where there is danger of falling objects such as pots, broken windows, etc. (e.g. under balconies).
• Follow the instructions of local authorities.

In the areas where forecasts indicate heavy snowfalls and icy roads, Civil Defence recommends that drivers:

• Be informed about the weather and road condition.
• Have chains inside their vehicles and petrol in their tanks.
• Only travel if necessary, preferably in the daytime and on central roads.
• Inform family or friends about the route they take.
• Change their route or agenda to avoid the harshest weather conditions.
• Follow the instructions of local authorities.

Walkers are recommended to:

• Be well dressed, preferably with several layers of lighter clothing rather than a single heavy overcoat and wear suitable shoes to avoid injuries from slipping.
• Avoid being outdoors in worsening weather, e.g. heavy snowfall, frost, etc.