Greece is likely to experience another hotter-than-average summer, climate experts are warning, as European forecasting models point to sustained above-normal temperatures across the country for a fifth time in as many years.
Long-range seasonal models for June through August show temperatures in Greece expected to remain above historical averages, reinforcing what scientists increasingly describe as a “new normal” driven by climate change in the Mediterranean.
“Sustained heat is now our baseline reality,” said Kostas Lagouvardos, research director at the National Observatory of Athens.
Mr. Lagouvardos said four of the past five Greek summers — 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025 — brought record-breaking heat, including prolonged heatwaves lasting up to 10 consecutive days. While he said it remains too early to forecast the timing or intensity of specific heatwaves this year, average summer highs around 35 degrees Celsius (95°F) are increasingly common.
Christos Zerefos, Greece’s national representative for climate change, said elevated sea surface temperatures in the Mediterranean are adding to the risk.
“The thermal energy stored in our seas will further amplify warming,” Mr. Zerefos said, warning that rising sea levels and prolonged heat threaten coastlines, agriculture and water infrastructure.
Greece has become one of Europe’s climate hotspots, facing increasingly frequent heatwaves, drought and wildfires.
Last summer brought repeated temperature extremes and severe fire outbreaks, prompting renewed calls for stronger adaptation measures ahead of what forecasters say could be another punishing season.