Until Friday (March 17, 2023) bad weather in the country, according to the updated emergency bulletin in case of bad weather which was published National Meteorological Service (NMS).

Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected in places, accompanied by strong winds and possibly hail, according to EMY.

⚠️ Escalation report update #weather @EMY_HNMS

👉🏻 Last severe weather forecast until Friday 17.10 with heavy rain and thunderstorms ⛈ strong winds 🌬️ and possible hail🌨️

🔗 https://t.co/epVISqmI5R

ℹ️ https://t.co/lDVjVfaC9S pic.twitter.com/8ByxMLo1VR

— Civil Protection GR (@GSCP_GR) March 15, 2023

Heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast in more detail:

• in the Ionian Sea, Epirus and western Sterea and western Peloponnese. From late in the evening, the phenomena will gradually weaken.
• from daytime hours on the islands of the northern and eastern Aegean and from late night in the Dodecanese.

• before noon on the islands of the northern and eastern Aegean
• from noon at intervals in the Cyclades and Crete
• in the Dodecanese early in the morning and again in the afternoon.
• from noon in eastern Thessaly, Sporades and Evia

• in Crete, where the phenomena will ease on Saturday morning (March 18, 2023).
• until noon in Evia and the Cyclades.
• before noon in the Dodecanese

GPP Recommendations

As the General Secretariat for Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crises and Civil Protection points out in its message, the competent state authorities involved in the service, as well as the regions and municipalities of the country, have been informed to be on high readiness for civil defense in order to immediately counter the consequences of the occurrence of severe weather phenomena.

At the same time, the General Secretariat for Civil Protection recommends that citizens take extra care to protect themselves from the risks posed by severe weather events.

• To secure objects that, if blown away by severe weather conditions, could cause damage or injury.
• Make sure the gutters and downspouts of the houses are clear and working properly.
• Avoid crossing streams and streams on foot or by car during storms and rains, and for several hours after they end.
• Avoid working outdoors and operating in sea and coastal areas during adverse weather conditions (danger of lightning strikes).
• Take cover immediately during hail. Take shelter in a building or car and do not leave the safe area until they are sure the storm has passed. Hail can be very dangerous for animals too.
• Avoid walking under large trees, under posted signs, and in public areas where light objects (eg pots, broken glass, etc.) can break off and fall to the ground (eg under balconies).
• Conscientiously follow the instructions of local authorities such as the Road Traffic Authority, etc.

If you are at home

• Do not hold on to electrical appliances or the telephone, as lightning can pass through the wires. Disconnect TVs from antenna and power supply.
• Do not touch plumbing pipes (kitchen, bathroom) as they are good conductors of electricity.

If you are in a car

• Park it on the side of the road and away from trees that might fall on it.
• Stay inside and turn on your brake lights (emergency lights) until the storm subsides.
• Close windows and do not touch metal objects.
• Avoid flooded roads.

If you are on the street

• Take cover in a building or car, or immediately sit on the ground without lying down.
• If you are in a forest, take cover under the hard branches of low trees.
• Never take cover under a tall tree in an open area.
• Avoid lowlands due to the risk of flooding.
• Stay away from power poles, power lines, telephone lines and fences.
• Stay away from metal objects (eg cars, bicycles, camping equipment, etc.).
• Stay away from rivers, lakes and other bodies of water.
• If you are at sea, leave immediately.
• If you are isolated on a flat surface and feel like your hair is standing on end (signaling that lightning is about to strike), sit deep with your head between your legs (to minimize body surface area and contact with the ground), dropping metal objects, which you have.