A powerful storm system is battering western Greece, forcing the mid-air diversion of a domestic flight and prompting travel bans in Epirus as gale-force winds and torrential rain swept the region.
The severe weather, which authorities warned will persist through Thursday, caused immediate disruptions.
A flight from Athens to the northwestern city of Ioannina was unable to land due to dangerous turbulence and poor visibility, forcing the pilot to return to the capital.
Civil Protection officials urged residents in Epirus to avoid all unnecessary travel overnight as conditions deteriorated.
Heavy thunderstorms lashed the Ionian Sea, western Central Greece, and the Peloponnese, while strong winds swept across the Aegean. Meteorologist Thodoris Kolydas stated that the instability will continue Thursday, with rain spreading to eastern Macedonia and Thrace before easing late in the day.
However, the relief will be short-lived. A sharp temperature drop is forecast for the weekend, bringing the first significant snowfall of the year to lower elevations.
“A deep winter pattern is developing,” said meteorologist Klearchos Marousakis, warning that snow could reach coastal areas by next week.
Mr. Kolydas noted that temperatures will plummet Sunday and Monday, accompanied by strong northerly winds and frost in the northwest, marking a decisive shift to freezing winter conditions nationwide.