Greek meteorologists have issued weather warnings for a low-pressure system expected to bring heavy rain, hail and widespread lightning across most of the country through the weekend and into Monday, with the worst conditions forecast for Saturday.
Meteorologist Klearchos Marousakis said cold air from the north colliding with humid spring conditions is driving a ten-day pattern of instability, with storm clouds building over Attica's mountain ridges by Friday evening before spreading nationwide.
Mr. Marousakis said eastern Macedonia, Thrace, Thessaly, the Peloponnese, central Greece and Crete face the heaviest rainfall over the weekend.
Meteorologist Sakis Arnaoutoglou described the next 48 hours as "highly challenging," warning that the front dropping south of Halkidiki will bring sustained thunder over Evia, Attica, Boeotia and the Cyclades.
Mr. Arnaoutoglou noted that daytime temperatures will remain near 26°C despite the disruption.
Conditions are expected to ease briefly Sunday morning before a secondary wave of afternoon showers develops inland. Civil protection units are on alert through Monday.