Record Heat Hits Crete in March Amidst Weather Extremes

Greece is currently experiencing significant temperature fluctuations, with the island of Crete recording unprecedented highs for the month of March. Over the weekend, temperatures soared to 33.7 degrees Celsius in Lasithi, marking the highest temperature ever recorded for this month, according to data from the National Observatory of Athens. In Livadia, a central city in Greece, temperatures reached 31.4 degrees Celsius on Saturday, further indicating that the country's weather is behaving more like that of late spring than early March.

This unusual spike in temperatures has been attributed to the presence of Saharan dust in the atmosphere. Meteorologists have noted that such high temperatures this early in the year are unprecedented. A meteorologist from the National Observatory emphasized the rarity of these conditions, highlighting that the country is witnessing a dramatic shift in weather patterns.

However, this spell of warmth is expected to be short-lived. By Tuesday, a cold air mass is predicted to sweep across Greece, bringing with it rain and even snow in certain areas. This sudden change in weather will see temperatures in Athens drop significantly from the current 27 degrees Celsius to a forecasted high of just 11 degrees.

In Northern Macedonia, where temperatures reached 27 degrees over the weekend, there are concerns that the impending frost could cause serious damage to fruit trees that are currently in full bloom.

The ongoing climate crisis is having a pronounced impact on Greece, which has recorded the hottest summer and the warmest winter since records began. Extreme temperatures are increasingly associated with devastating wildfires in the region, further underscoring the urgent need for climate action and sustainable practices.

As Greece braces for another wave of cold weather following its recent heatwave, the situation serves as a stark reminder of the volatility of climate patterns and the challenges posed by climate change.