A storm has closed the ports in Greece

11 December 2013 / 15:12:49 GRReporter

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Stormy winds, reaching 10 on the Beaufort scale, are keeping the ships anchored at the ports of Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio, where a ban on sailing is in force.

Conventional merchant ships are only sailing from Piraeus to the Argo-Saronic Gulf and hydrofoil vessels to Aegina.

The Perama – Paloukia line on the island of Salamina remains closed as well as the route Agia Marina - Nea Stira and Arkitsa - Edipsos.

The weather today

In Attica, mainly in the north and in the mountains, there will be considerable cloudiness today at noon and snow is possible. Temperatures will reach 7° C in the city and 4-5° C in the rest of the region. Strong northern winds will start blowing, which will slightly subside in the evening.

Today it is very cold in Thessaloniki too. Daytime temperatures will reach 7° C. Strong northwest winds will blow in the Bay of Thermaikos, which, however, will quickly subside.

It will start raining on the Cycladic islands and Crete and snowing in the mountains, mainly before noon. Strong winds will blow over the Aegean Sea. Bad weather will grip the island of Crete where snow is possible in hilly areas.

In Northern Greece, temperatures will significantly drop, ranging from -7° C to 7° C, the maximum temperature in Western Macedonia and Thrace being 2-4 degrees lower. Temperatures in western Greece will range from -2° C to 11° C, on the rest of the mainland from -2° C to 7° C, on the islands in the northeastern part of the Aegean Sea from 2° C to 5° C and on the Cycladic islands, Crete and Dodecanese from 5° C to 9° C.

Strong northern winds will blow over the Aegean Sea, reaching 8-9 on the Beaufort scale and 10 in some places. Gradually the gusts will subside in some places and it is expected that, in the evening, they will slightly subside over the other seas, except over the Aegean Sea around the Dodecanese. Moderate to strong northeast winds will blow over the Ionian Sea.

Snow on Thursday

You should expect clouds and rain, and light snow on Thursday in Thrace, the eastern islands of the country and, gradually, in eastern Macedonia, Halkidiki, eastern Thessaly, Evia and the eastern Peloponnese. It will temporarily snow in the mountains whereas in the rest of the country the weather will be mostly sunny.

Northern winds will blow in the western part of the country, reaching 4 to 6 on the Beaufort scale, 6 to 8 in the eastern part and even 9 in some places.

Temperatures will be low and it will freeze in the morning hours on Friday.

On Friday, there will be a temporary increase in clouds in the eastern and southern parts of the country with brief rain and snow, and just snow in the mountains. Precipitation will gradually subside but will continue in the southern regions; the weather in the rest of the country will be mostly sunny.

Northern winds will blow in the western part of the country, reaching 3-5 on the Beaufort scale and 6-8 in the eastern part but they will gradually subside.

Temperatures will not significantly change and ice will grip the northern part of the country.

Higher temperatures over the weekend

On Saturday, expect a temporary increase in cloudiness, with a probability of light rainfall in the southern part of Greece in the morning hours. Northern winds will blow, reaching 3-5 on the Beaufort scale and 6 in the eastern areas.

Temperatures will rise and there will be frost in the western and northern parts of mainland Greece but only in the morning hours.

On Sunday, the weather will remain almost unchanged and sunny but increased cloudiness will cover some areas in the western, central and northern parts of the country.

Northern winds will blow, reaching 3-5 on the Beaufort scale and 6 in some areas of the Aegean Sea.

Due to the poor weather conditions, drivers should be very careful and should use snow chains in the following areas: