Massive fluctuations

Weather in Greece between 31 degrees and snow

At the weekend, Greeks were drawn to the sea because of the summer temperatures, and snow is expected to fall again in a few days.(Bild: APA/AFP/Angelos TZORTZINIS)

Greece is currently being hit by massive temperature fluctuations: A new record high for March was measured at the weekend - according to the weather service's forecast, snow will then fall again in a few days. 

In the central Greek city of Livadia, temperatures reached 31.4 degrees Celsius on Saturday - the highest ever recorded for March, according to the National Observatory in Athens on the Meteo.gr website.

Sahara dust in the air
Temperatures that are more typical for the month of May than March were measured throughout the country. The unusual rise was attributed to Saharan dust in the air.

"Temperatures like this so early in March are unprecedented!" meteorologist Panagiotis Giannopoulos told ERT television.

Sharply falling temperatures
From Tuesday, however, Greeks will have to brace themselves for falling temperatures. "A cold air mass will cause showers and snow across the country on Tuesday," said Giannopoulos. "In Athens, where we have 27 degrees today, the maximum temperature will be eleven degrees. It's a rollercoaster ride," he added.

In the Greek region of North Macedonia, where 27 degrees were recorded at the weekend, the frost could cause severe damage to fruit trees that are in full bloom.

Greece suffers from climate change
Greece is suffering greatly from climate change. According to Meteo.gr, last year the country had the hottest summer and the warmest winter since weather records began. The high temperatures also repeatedly caused devastating forest fires.