In Greece, the heatwave continues with the thermometer reaching 46°C

By The New Obs with AFP

Published on July 25, 2025 at 9:57 p.m.

Reading time: 1 min.

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The heatwave hitting Greece is expected to continue until Monday, with temperatures reaching nearly 46°C on Friday, July 25, in a country that has already been sweltering since the beginning of the week, according to meteorological services.

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The highest temperature of this intense heatwave was recorded on Friday in Skala in the Peloponnese peninsula (southwest), at 45.8°C, according to the National Observatory of Athens' meteo.gr website. In Athens and the port of Piraeus, near the capital, 42°C were recorded at midday, according to the same source.

Faced with this heatwave, Greek authorities have decided to continue closing the Acropolis of Athens to visitors during the hottest hours of the day, between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m., until Sunday. This measure, in effect since Tuesday, is exceptional in its duration.

Maximum alert for fires

The National Meteorological Service (EMY) also warned that the heatwave is expected to continue through Monday, before temperatures begin to drop. Previously, they had forecast a drop in temperatures starting at the weekend.

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Several regions, including Attica, the Athens region, parts of the Peloponnese and the south of the island of Evia, east of the capital, were placed on high alert for Saturday due to the risk of fires.

A major fire is raging in the Kilkis region of northeastern Greece, where homes and businesses have been evacuated. According to a fire department spokesperson, the blaze is extremely intense due to high temperatures, with new fires constantly forming. Some 76 firefighters are deployed, along with 28 vehicles and two helicopters.

In neighboring Albania, 29 fires were recorded in the last 24 hours, 10 of which remain active, according to the National Civil Protection Agency.

In Greece, the heatwave is also putting severe strain on the electricity grid, with demand increasing sharply due to the heavy use of air conditioners.

In 2023, Greece, a Mediterranean country accustomed to high summer temperatures, experienced its longest heatwave—two weeks— on record days, with local temperatures exceeding 46°C. Last year, it also experienced its hottest summer on record.