Athens, February 1, 2026 – A ‘red alert’ has been issued by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection for significant parts of Macedonia, Thessaly, and the Peloponnese, in anticipation of an impending storm. According to an emergency weather bulletin from the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY), the severe weather is expected to affect the country starting tomorrow, Sunday, February 1, 2026.
Civil Protection Committee Convenes Amidst Storm Warnings
In response to the forecast, Nikos Papevstathiou, Secretary General for Civil Protection, convened a Risk Assessment Committee meeting today. The meeting, attended by Giannis Kefalogiannis, Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, focused on the storm’s expected impact. The committee discussed the anticipated strong rains, thunderstorms, potential local hailstorms, strong winds, and snowfall.
Areas Under Severe Threat
According to scientists from the committee, particularly strong phenomena are expected tomorrow in the Peloponnese, Thessaly (especially in the regional units of Larissa, Magnesia, including the Sporades islands), as well as in the regional units of Pieria, Imathia, and Chalkidiki. Additionally, strong phenomena are forecast for Crete, the Ionian Islands (mainly Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca, Zakynthos), Epirus, Western Sterea, Central Macedonia, Eastern Sterea (including Attica), and Evia.
On Monday, strong phenomena are expected in the Eastern Aegean, with heavy rains and thunderstorms continuing in the Dodecanese and Crete until the morning hours.
Mobilization of Local Authorities and Emergency Services
The National Coordination Center for Operations and Crisis Management (ESKEDIK) has already communicated with first and second-degree local government organizations, as well as all involved stakeholders, regarding the weather developments. This proactive measure aims to ensure operational readiness and effective response to the storm’s potential consequences.
Based on these predictions, the General Secretariat for Civil Protection has placed the following areas under a ‘red code’ alert:
- The Region of Peloponnese
- The Region of Thessaly (including the Sporades)
- The Regional Units of Achaia and Ilia in the Region of Western Greece
- The Regional Units of Pieria, Imathia, and Chalkidiki in the Region of Central Macedonia
In light of this, municipalities and regions are urged to immediately convene their Local Operational Coordination Bodies for Civil Protection (TESOPP) and Regional Operational Coordination Bodies for Civil Protection (PESOPP).
Public Safety Recommendations
Citizens in areas at risk of landslides during the severe weather, particularly in locations where landslides have occurred in the past, are advised to exercise extreme caution and avoid unnecessary travel. These precautions are crucial for minimizing risks to public safety.
The Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY) has issued an emergency weather warning, detailing the severity and duration of the upcoming storm. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as needed.
The upcoming storm underscores the importance of preparedness and adherence to civil protection guidelines. Residents in affected areas are encouraged to stay informed through official channels and take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety and the safety of their communities.
This event follows recent reports of ongoing weather challenges across Greece, including previous warnings for storms and snowfall in various regions. The consistent monitoring and rapid response from civil protection agencies are vital in mitigating the impact of such natural phenomena.
Further updates on the weather conditions and civil protection measures will be released by the relevant authorities as the situation evolves. The public is advised to follow local news and official announcements for real-time information and guidance.
