Greece is getting ready to face its first heatwave in 2026, as temperatures in some parts of mainland Greece could soar up to 40°C to 41°C on Monday and Tuesday, the National Meteorological Service (EMY) of the country stated.

The hottest temperatures will be seen in Thessaly, some parts of the Peloponnese and the greater area of Athens. Theodora Kolydas, the meteorologist, stated that the weather data analysis for the first part of the week shows that there will be a heatwave all over mainland Greece and not just a few days of hot weather. Temperatures are likely to drop from Thursday onwards.

The heat comes after an exceptionally mild summer beginning. Whereas most of Europe faced heatwaves several times in June, Greece managed to avoid prolonged periods of heat as there was rainfall in June and constant winds in early July.

The first temperature over 40°C was registered on Saturday in the north-western town of Konitsa where temperatures reached 40.4°C, Meteo.gr stated. According to the weather service, this is the third latest recording of a temperature above 40°C since 2011. The latest seasonal records of such temperatures were registered on July 20, 2015, and July 30, 2013.

EMY has forecast maximum temperatures up to 41° C in several inland locations until Tuesday. The coastal zones are predicted to stay relatively cooler due to the sea breeze phenomenon while the inland zones will see the most severe effects of the weather conditions.

The heat wave takes place weeks after several European countries were faced with unusually high temperatures in June. The situation in Greece had been quite different at that time, and thus this becomes the first heat wave for the country in 2019.