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Moderate thunderstorm warning in Greece: what it means and what to do
Got a moderate thunderstorm warning for Greece? Here is what it means, what to do, and what happens to ferries, flights and schools. Below: the latest thunderstorm warnings, updated automatically.
In Greece, warnings are issued by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY / HNMS) through the European MeteoAlarm system. Each warning has a colour (yellow, orange or red) and a severity: Moderate for yellow, Severe for orange and Extreme for red. So a “moderate thunderstorm warning” is an yellow thunderstorm warning.
Latest thunderstorm warnings in Greece
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📍 GreeceYellow, orange, red: the three warning levels
- YellowModerate: Potentially dangerous weather, but unlikely to be extreme. The forecast phenomena are not unusual, but be attentive if you plan activities exposed to the weather. ⬅️ this page
- OrangeSevere: Severe, dangerous weather. Unusual phenomena are forecast that may cause damage, accidents and casualties.
- RedExtreme: Extremely severe, very dangerous weather. Exceptionally intense phenomena are forecast, with major damage and accidents over a wide area, in many cases with a threat to life.
What to do in a thunderstorm
With a yellow warning you can usually carry on as normal, but check the forecast before a hike, a boat trip or a mountain drive, and be ready to change plans.
- Outdoors: shelter in a building or a car. If you can't, sit on the ground (don't lie down).
- Never stand under a tall tree in an open space.
- Stay away from rivers, lakes and the sea.
- Indoors: secure anything the wind or heavy rain can carry, and avoid touching water pipes (kitchen, bathroom).
- In a car: park away from trees that could fall, stay inside with hazard lights on until the storm passes, and avoid flooded roads.
- In hail: take shelter immediately and stay there until conditions improve.
Based on the Greek Civil Protection guidance: Storms
What it means for travellers and residents
⛴️ Ferries
In strong winds the Coast Guard and port authorities can issue a sailing ban (απαγορευτικό απόπλου) and ferries stay in port. Passenger ships usually sail up to about 8 Beaufort, and the final decision lies with the captain together with the local port authority. For example, on 3 October 2026 a sailing ban was imposed at Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio in winds of up to 9 Beaufort: conventional ships sailed, but hydrofoils stayed in port. Before heading to the port, check with the ferry company or your travel agent. Also: Strike today?
✈️ Flights
Severe weather can cause flight delays and disruption, as happened in Crete on 2 October 2026. Check your flight status with the airline before leaving for the airport, and leave a buffer before your flight home.
🏫 Schools
In Greece, the decision to close schools because of the weather is taken by the regional governor (Περιφερειάρχης) or the mayor. According to the Education Ministry, when schools close, lessons continue online where possible. For example, the municipality of Chania closed its schools on 30 September 2026 ahead of the storm.
📱 112 alerts on your phone
When a dangerous event is expected, Civil Protection sends a 112 alert. It appears on your screen with a distinctive alarm sound (Cell Broadcast), and can also arrive as an SMS from sender 112. Alerts are free. Phones sold in Greece since December 2019 receive them automatically. If you get one, follow its instructions. In an emergency call 112.
📰 Example: Orange thunderstorm warning for the Dodecanese (October 2026)
Other warning types
Greece weather month by month → · Emergency numbers in Greece
Common questions
What is a moderate thunderstorm warning in Greece?
It is a yellow thunderstorm warning from Greece's meteorological service (EMY) and MeteoAlarm, with severity Moderate. Potentially dangerous weather, but unlikely to be extreme. The forecast phenomena are not unusual, but be attentive if you plan activities exposed to the weather.
What should I do during a moderate thunderstorm warning?
With a yellow warning you can usually carry on as normal, but check the forecast before a hike, a boat trip or a mountain drive, and be ready to change plans. Outdoors: shelter in a building or a car. If you can't, sit on the ground (don't lie down). Never stand under a tall tree in an open space. Stay away from rivers, lakes and the sea.
Should I cancel my trip because of a thunderstorm warning in Greece?
Usually not. A yellow warning means potentially dangerous but not unusual weather. Check the forecast before hikes, boat trips or mountain drives.
Do ferries and flights run during a thunderstorm warning?
Mostly yes, but delays and cancellations are possible. Sailing bans depend mainly on the wind: passenger ships usually sail up to about 8 Beaufort. Check with the ferry company and the airline before you go.
How do I know if there is a warning right now?
On the EMY website (emy.gr) and the MeteoAlarm map (meteoalarm.org). If the situation is dangerous, Civil Protection also sends a 112 alert to phones. On Yavanet we publish orange and red warnings in Hebrew.
Sources
- ΕΜΥ / HNMS – warnings
- MeteoAlarm – Greece
- Wikipedia – MeteoAlarm
- EMMA/MeteoAlarm – Hydro warnings in CAP (2022)
- MeteoAlarm awareness levels (docs)
- Civil Protection – storms
- Civil Protection – 112: when & how I'm notified
- Civil Protection – 112 FAQ (PDF)
- in.gr – sailing ban, Piraeus/Rafina/Lavrio (3.10.2026)
- lifo.gr – how many Beaufort ferries sail in
- in.gr – flight problems in Crete (2.10.2026)
- lifo.gr – schools closed for bad weather (31.3.2026)
- cretalive.gr – Chania schools (30.9.2026)
Information checked on 4 October 2026. A warning can be updated or lifted at any moment: the current status is always on the EMY website and the MeteoAlarm map.
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