Current Climate Conditions - The searing heat in the Aegean Sea is at its height.
A scorching heatwave has been wreaking havoc on people in Greece and Turkey for the past three days. According to the Greek meteorological service, temperatures as high as 45 degrees are predicted in central Greece and on the Peloponnese Peninsula during afternoons in the coming days. "This is certain to be the hardest day of this heatwave," declared a representative from the meteorological service during radio broadcasts. Thermometers in Athens displayed 33 degrees as early as 9:00 am.
The Acropolis, an iconic symbol of Athens, shut down during the hottest hours of Wednesday. The Greek Culture Ministry mandated the closure of all ancient sites in the greater Athens region between noon and 5:00 pm. Daycare centers and elementary schools were shut in different parts of the country for the second day in a row. Many individuals worked from home; construction work was almost completely halted due to the heat. Doctors advised senior citizens or those with health issues to remain indoors.
Soaring temperatures anticipated
The Turkish Aegean coast already exceeded 30 degrees Celsius in the morning. The Turkish state news agency Anadolu reported a record temperature of 44.6 degrees in the western Turkish province of Aydin on Wednesday. The province of Aydin has not experienced temperatures this hot in June since 1938.
The meteorological services of both countries predict that this brief heatwave will come to an end over the weekend. Rain is anticipated in northern Greece on Friday, followed by northerly winds. This will cause a dramatic drop in temperatures. However, the Greek Civil Protection sounded the alarm on Thursday, stating that the wind will raise the risk of fires.
