Greece will endure a 3-day heatwave starting Tuesday 11th June 2024, with temperatures exceeding 40°C, also warning of of a high wildfire risk, placed at a very high level.  Meteorologists had warned that temperatures could hit 43°C before falling at the weekend.  Heat waves are not rare in Greece, but they traditionally appear in July and August, the June heatwaves are particularly unusual, at least until recently, and are being called 'early heatwaves'.  The Hellenic Fire Brigade have expressed concern, with the risk of forest fires being very high, especially in central Greece, after a winter with little rain and the high temperatures since the beginning of June.  From May 2024, there are stiffer sentences for all types of arson, perpetrators will face up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to €200,000.

The Greek Red Cross is advising people to stay out of the sun, close their shutters, drink plenty of fluids and eat lightly.  People should keep in touch with friends and family to ensure that older people in particular are well.  Some Municipalities have decided to keep schools closed, including most schools in Ermionida, or modified their operations with shorter teaching times.  In July 2023, a record-breaking 46.4°C was recorded at Gytheio in the Peloponnese.  This set a new record for the highest temperature ever recorded in Greece since records began in 2006.  In Ermionida, Kranidi recorded the second highest temperature in Greece at 45.9°C.  Last year's 2023 heatwave became the longest in the country's recorded history, lasting more than two continuous weeks.

On Wednesday 12th June, Greek authorities closed the Acropolis during peak hours due to record heatwave temperatures.  The ancient site, which drew in some 4 million visitors last year, was closed from midday until 5pm as temperatures hit 43°C.  It is expected that the Acropolis midday closure will also apply on Thursday.  Visitors can return between 5pm and 8pm the same day.  The highest temperature was recorded at 43.2°C in Lefkochori in Central Greece, closely followed by Sparta with 43.1°C in the Peloponnese.  Meteorologists have classified this as Greece's first heatwave of the year.

On Thursday 13th June, temperatures in Kranidi hit 43.9°C, with Didyma recording 42.7°C, as a suffocating blanket of heat descended upon Greece, with Sahara dust and stifling humidity creating an oppresive atmosphere across vast parts of the country.  The extreme heat has also sent wildfire risk skyrocketing, placing authorities on high alert.  Temperatures are expected to drop on Friday 14th June, with the Acropolis open to visitors throughout the day and many schools reopening for their for annual exams.

This unusual early heatwave has already proven fatal, with five tourists confirmed dead, and others reported missing on the islands amid the scorching conditions.  The body of British TV doctor, Michael Mosley, 67 (pictured left) was eventually found on rocks near to a beach on the island of Symi, several days after he was reported missing.  The body of a 67-year-old Dutch tourist was found after he collapsed and died of a heart attack while crossing the Mylon gorge in Rethymno, Crete, as temperatures reached over 40°C.  Also on Crete, a 70-year-old French tourist collapsed and died while walking on a deserted beach near Sitia.  Emergency services did reach her, but were not able to save her life.  The body of a 74-year-old male Dutch tourist was eventually found, who was missing on the island of Samos for almost a week.  On Saturday 15th June, a 55-year-old Greek-American tourist, who had been vacationing on the small island of Mathraki, near Corfu, was found dead near the old harbour.  He had been missing since Thursday 13th June when his disappearance was reported.  Sadly, he becomes the fifth tourist to be confirmed dead due to the early Greek heatwave.  The search and rescue operation for two missing French women on the Cycladic island of Sikinos (after sending a distress text) and a 57-year-old U.S. tourist (ex-policeman from California) on Amorgos intensified on Sunday 16th June.  But the search was finally called off on Monday 1st July, as the long hikes have taken their toll on the bodies of the search parties.

A 55-year-old Dutch tourist who was reported missing on Monday 17th June has been found dead in his car, which was located on a clff edge near Ierapetra, Crete.  Firefighters were called to retrieve the vehicle, which was found near the village of Koutsounari, east of Ierapetra, on Tuesday, as it was in danger of falling off the steep cliffs.

Temparatures are expected to drop in the coming weeks, but temperatures of mid-to-high 30°s will continue for the rest of June.  This month became the warmest June in Greece since 2010.  Central Greece and the Peloponnese recorded the largest positive temperature deviations, with average monthly values ranging up to 4.8°C above normal levels for the month.  Last month became the hottest June ever experienced by the Greek capital since meteorological records began in 1860.

Be aware of the main signs of heatstroke:  A sudden rise in body temparature, that may come with hot, red and dry skin, a swollen tongue, heart palpertations, panting, intense thirst, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sence of mental confusion and slurring, spasming and fainting.  If anyone displays these symptoms, they need to be moved to a cool and shady spot, have their outer clothing removed, be cooled down with water, take small sips of cool water or watered-down fruit juice.  If possible, take a long cool shower.  If the above symptoms continue to persist or become severe, then call for help.

National emergency numbers:

• Doctors sos 1016
• Hospital 1434 or 1535
  
• Ambulance 166
  
• Fire brigade 199
• Police 100

Although the very high temperatures subsided in June, the heatwave continued through to mid-September with temperatures constantly in the mid-to-high thirties° centigrade.  There didn't seem to be any respite until the cooler northern winds returned and temperatures dropped to high twenties° centigrade in September.  2024 became one of the hottest summers on record in Greece.