A top meteorologist has warned that Greece is set to endure its hottest July weekend in 50 years, as the country wilts under a prolonged heatwave set to last well into next week.
Government ministries are said to have advised people to work from home where possible and not to venture out unnecessarily. The exceptional temperatures also mean key tourism sites will be closed during the hottest part of the day.
“This weekend risks being the hottest registered in July in the past 50 years,” Panagiotis Giannopoulos, a meteorologist with state broadcaster ERT, said on Friday. “Athens is going to have temperatures above 40C [104F] for six to seven days, through to the end of July.”
Such a prolonged spell of scorching temperatures is exceptional for the Greek capital. And Sunday is likely to see the city labour under as much as 44C (111F) with the central region of Thessalia enduring 45C.
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Recall that the national meteorological institute EMY earlier reported temperatures of 41C at Attica, encompassing the capital, Athens, while forecasting up to 44C in Thessalia. Yannis Kallianos, a meteorologist with private broadcaster Mega, spoke of an “interminable and powerful heatwave”.
“According to latest forecasts, the heatwave could last until next Thursday or Friday,” he warned, adding that strong northerly winds could also spark fires.
Meanwhile, authorities reported firefighters were still battling 79 forest fires across the country, with their spokesman Vassilios Vathrakoyannis saying Greece would be on a state of alert across the weekend.
Story was adapted from the Guardian.
