Emergency alerts issued, schools closed as below-freezing temperatures and heavy snow hit Greece

Heavy snow and below-freezing temperatures affecting Greece, including capital Athens and many Aegean islands, on Monday, January 24, 2022, forced authorities to close schools and warn the public to limit their movements. 

The temperatures across the country started falling on Saturday, followed by heavy snow and frost.

Authorities sent out emergency alerts to cell phones in the wider Athens area on Monday morning warning of severe snowfall over the next few hours and calling on people to avoid any unnecessary movement.¹

While snow is common in the Greek mountains and in the northern part of the country, it's not usual in central Athens and on the Aegean islands.

Rare snow was also reported on the island of Mykonos on Sunday, January 23.

Greece was hit by a historic snowstorm and record low temperatures in February 2021, leaving widespread disruption and at least three people dead.^{2, 3, 4}

According to the National Meteorological Service, this was the 'fiercest' snowfall in terms of intensity and volume since 2008.

References:

¹ Severe weather brings snow to Athens, Greek islands – eKathimerini

² Northern Greece records all-time low temperature, Athens blanketed in snow – The Watchers

³ Widespread disruption after heaviest snowfall in 12 years hits Greece – The Watchers

⁴ Historic snowstorm leaves 3 dead in Greece – The Watchers

Featured image credit: RUPTLYr (stillshot)