The scorching heat that has engulfed Greece is expected to set a record for the longest heatwave in the country’s history. Kostas Lagouvardos, director of research at the Athens National Observatory, warned ERT television that the phenomenon, which has never been seen before in Greece, will likely last for 16-17 days. According to Greece’s definition of a heatwave, temperatures must reach or exceed 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit) for a consecutive period.
The heatwave has already brought temperatures to extreme levels, and meteorologists predict that Athens will spend six to seven days above 40 degrees Celsius. Successive days of such extreme heat are unusual for the Greek capital, which is not accustomed to such prolonged heatwaves. In fact, the previous record of 11 consecutive days of heatwave was set in 1987.
Government ministries have advised citizens to take precautions, urging people to work from home if possible and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities. Key tourism sites, including the iconic Acropolis, will be closed during the hottest part of the day to protect visitors from the intense heat. The move is seen as a precautionary measure, given the heatwave’s expected severity.
Tragically, the heatwave has already claimed one life, with a 46-year-old man dying from heatstroke after being admitted to Chalkida hospital on the central island of Evia. Hospital officials attributed his death to cardio-respiratory failure resulting from exposure to high temperatures.
Greece HeatwaveIn addition to the human toll, the heatwave has also exacerbated ongoing forest fires across Greece, with authorities reporting 79 blazes still raging. Firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the fires, but a spokesperson for the fire department warned that the country would remain on high alert throughout the weekend.
The heatwave’s impact has been felt across the region, with southern Europe, the US, and north Africa experiencing extreme temperatures. Italy has suffered its third heatwave of the summer, and Spain is bracing for a spike in temperatures on Sunday, coinciding with national elections. Tunisia has seen temperatures 6-10 degrees Celsius above average, and Phoenix, Arizona, has experienced a record-breaking 70 days without temperatures dipping below 32 degrees Celsius.
As the heatwave continues to unfold, meteorologists and health officials are urging citizens to take necessary precautions to protect themselves from the intense heat. The exact temperature record may vary, but one thing is certain: this summer, Greece will weather the hottest heatwave in its recorded history.