44.2 degrees were measured in Thebes on Friday, the hottest day of the current heat wave so far. A relaxation is not in sight until the beginning of the week.
Greece is at the height of the current heat wave – 87 weather stations in the country recorded highs of over 40 degrees on Friday. The highest temperature of the year so far was 44.2 degrees in Thebes, about 50 kilometers northwest of Athens, as announced by the National Observatory on Saturday. Forecasters also did not expect the heat to subside over the weekend.
In addition, the danger of forest fires increases due to the high drought, civil defense and firefighters warned on Saturday. The Ministry of Environment and Energy has called for a reduction in the use of private cars because exhaust fumes in conurbations like Athens and Thessaloniki pollute the air more in the heat. Also, due to the increased risk of fire, caution is advised when handling fuels such as gasoline. Railway company OSE announced that trains would slow down due to high temperatures to ensure safety on hot tracks.
The weather also affects some tourists and their holiday program: on Saturday, several archaeological sites in the country will close again at noon – including the Acropolis of Athens. Last admission is in the morning until 11:30 am, then it won’t open again until 5:30 pm. This Friday morning, a tourist suffered a slight heat stroke while visiting the archeological landmark hill. Additionally, people are encouraged to drink plenty of water and avoid strenuous physical exertion. According to Greek media, experts from the Athens Observatory only predicted relaxation at the beginning of the week, with temperatures rising again later next week.