Greece, Turkey: Winter weather forecast across Greece and Turkey through at least Jan. 27 /update 4

Event

Successive weather systems named Elpis in Greece are forecast to bring further heavy snowfall and cold temperatures across Greece and Turkey through at least Jan. 27. Due to the weather systems, disruptions are ongoing across both countries as of Jan. 25.

The systems are forecast to bring very low temperatures and heavy snowfall across Greece, including the plains of northern and eastern Greece and the Aegean islands. Strong winds are forecast in eastern Greece. Forecast models indicate very low temperatures of less than 2-3 C (35-37 F) across Greece through Jan. 26. Extremely cold temperatures and rounds of heavy snowfall and rainfall are forecast to impact much of Turkey through at least Jan. 27.

Heavy snowfall is causing disruptions across parts of Greece, including Athens. Many public services, schools, offices, and businesses have been closed in Athens, Crete, the Cyclades, and the Dodecanese islands Jan. 25-26. Power outages have been reported in the capital and surrounding areas, and thousands of motorists were stranded on the Atikki Odos ring road around the city Jan. 24-25. Train and bus services in the capital have been suspended, and COVID-19 vaccination centers in the wider Athens region and the island of Evia are closed. Around 15 passengers were injured during attempts to free a train that got stuck in heavy snow in central Greece. Aegean Airlines (A3) canceled all but five flights Jan. 24 and has warned further disruptions to flights are likely Jan. 25-26.

Disruptions due to heavy snowfall are also ongoing across parts of western and northern Turkey, including Istanbul. Istanbul Airport (IST) has partially reopened Jan. 25 after closing early Jan. 24 due to heavy snowfall. Only one runway has been cleared, with priority given for diverted flights. National carrier Turkish Airlines (TK) has canceled all flights to and from Istanbul until Jan. 27. Bus services have been suspended in the city, and severe traffic disruption has been reported across Istanbul, with many people stranded in their vehicles. Authorities have halted inbound traffic to Istanbul due to the snowstorm.

Government Advisories

As of Jan. 25, authorities have issued the following weather warnings across Greece and Turkey:

• Red snowfall warnings (the highest level on a four-tier scale): Crete in Greece.

• Red low-temperature warnings: Western Macedonia Region in Greece.

• Orange snowfall warnings: Eastern Sterea and Evia Region in Greece; and Adana, Adiyaman, Antalya, Gaziantep, Istanbul, Kahramanmaras, Kilis, Malatya, Mersin, Mugla, Sakarya, and Tokat provinces in Turkey.

• Orange low-temperature warnings: Attica, Eastern Sterea and Evia, Central Macedonia, East Macedonia, Thrace, Epirus, Thessaly, East Peloponnese, West Sterea, West Peloponnese regions, as well as Crete, North east Aegean, and Cyclades islands in Greece.

• Orange thunderstorm warnings: Kocaeli and Yalova provinces in Turkey.

• Yellow snowfall warnings: Attica Region and the Cyclades Islands in Greece; and Aksaray, Karaman, Kayseri, Kirsehir, Konya, Nevsehir, Nigde, Sivas, and Yozgat provinces in Turkey.

• Yellow rainfall warnings: Adana, Hatay, Kahramanmaras, Mersin, and Osmaniye provinces in Turkey.

• Yellow low-temperature warnings: Dodecanese and Ionian Islands in Greece.

• Yellow wind warnings: Attica, East Sterea and Evia, and East Peloponnese regions, as well as Crete, Cyclades, North East Aegean, and Dodecanese islands in Greece.

Officials could update and possibly extend the coverage of weather alerts over the coming days.

Hazardous Conditions
The adverse weather could bring further rounds of heavy precipitation (including rain and snow), strong winds, and isolated thunderstorm activity across the affected area in the coming days. Where precipitation falls as rain, flash and areal flooding is possible. Such flooding is possible in low-lying communities near watercourses and other large bodies of water and in urban areas with easily overwhelmed stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream of large reservoirs may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall.

Precipitation could fall as snow in the higher elevations over the coming days. Wind gusts could cause blowing and drifting snow; decreased visibility is likely in mountainous areas. Rain-induced landslides cannot be discounted in areas of elevated terrain; there is also the possibility of avalanches in mountainous areas where the snowpack has become unstable due to heavy snowfall. Due to adverse weather, power outages could occur across Greece and western and central Turkey.

Transport
Floodwaters and related debris may render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around the affected area. Flooding in urban areas could also result in significant traffic congestion. Heavy snow will likely make driving hazardous in some areas; authorities could implement temporary road closures or detours in such locations. Mountain passes and tunnels could be closed as a precautionary measure during periods of intense snowfall.

The disruptive weather will likely cause additional delays and cancellations at regional airports. Authorities may temporarily suspend port operations if strong winds trigger hazardous sea conditions, impacting freight and passenger maritime traffic. Flooding or snow could block regional rail lines; freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are possible in areas that see heavy rainfall and potential track blockages.

Disruptions triggered by inclement weather and resultant hazards, such as flooding or avalanches, could persist well after conditions have improved - it could take days before any floodwaters recede and/or officials clear debris. If there is severe damage to infrastructure, repair or reconstruction efforts may result in residual disruptions.

Advice

Monitor local media for weather-related updates and advisories. Confirm all transport reservations and business arrangements before traveling in the affected area. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving or routing shipments through areas where severe weather is forecast; plan for possible supply chain disruptions throughout the affected areas. Stay away from elevated streams, creeks, and other watercourses that are prone to flash flooding. Do not attempt to navigate flooded roadways. Exercise caution in elevated terrain due to the threat of landslides, as well as mountainous regions where avalanches pose a threat. Charge battery-powered devices in the case of prolonged electricity outages.

Resources

Hellenic National Meteorological Service (Greek)
Turkish State Meteorological Service (Turkish)