Temperatures across Greece are set to top 40 degrees Celsius (104°F) again Tuesday, with the heat wave peaking Wednesday before breaking sharply by Friday, meteorologists said.
Central mainland Greece will see highs up to 42 degrees, with 41 expected in Macedonia and Thrace, and 39 in Thessaloniki. Athens will reach up to 38 degrees under clear skies. The Cyclades and other islands will stay somewhat cooler, in the 33-38 degree range.
Meteorologist Nikos Kanteres told iefimerida.gr the toughest stretch runs Tuesday through Wednesday, with nighttime lows also climbing and daytime highs reaching as high as 43 degrees in places.
Relief begins Thursday, he said, with temperatures dropping sharply from Friday — by as much as 8 to 10 degrees.
Meteorologist Thodoris Kolydas warned that heat-index levels will reach the "yellow" danger category in several regions.
Tuesday's worst-hit areas include Athens and parts of the mainland, while Wednesday's peak heat shifts to eastern Sterea Ellada, the southern Peloponnese and parts of Crete.
The National Meteorological Service forecast generally clear skies Tuesday, with afternoon clouds over northern mountain areas bringing scattered rain, and possible isolated storms in central and eastern Macedonia and Thrace. Saharan dust is expected to partially drift into the atmosphere, mainly in western Greece.