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Red weather warning in Greece: what it means and what to do
A plain explanation of a red warning in Greece: what it means, what to do, and what happens to ferries, flights and schools. Below: the latest red warnings we have published, 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.
For orange and red warnings EMY usually also issues an “emergency bulletin of dangerous weather phenomena” (Έκτακτο Δελτίο Επικίνδυνων Καιρικών Φαινομένων) listing areas, times and intensities. For example, the bulletin of 30 September 2026 put Crete on red, with heavy rain, thunderstorms and 8–9 Beaufort winds over the Aegean.
Latest red warnings in Greece
Yellow, 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.
- 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. ⬅️ this page
What to do during a warning
With a red warning, follow the authorities' instructions closely. If you receive a 112 message, act on it immediately (for example, limit travel or evacuate).
- 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.
- Do not cross torrents or flooded roads, on foot or by car.
- Avoid basements and underground places, and move to higher, safe ground.
- If your car gets stuck in water, leave it: it may be swept away.
Based on the Greek Civil Protection guidance: Storms · Floods
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: Crete on red: floods and 112 alerts (October 2026)
Other warning types
Greece weather month by month → · Emergency numbers in Greece
Common questions
What is a red weather warning in Greece?
A red warning is the highest of MeteoAlarm's three warning levels, issued in Greece by the national meteorological service (EMY). Its severity is Extreme. 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 should I do during a red warning?
With a red warning, follow the authorities' instructions closely. If you receive a 112 message, act on it immediately (for example, limit travel or evacuate). Do not cross flooded roads, and in a thunderstorm shelter in a building or a car.
What is the difference between yellow, orange and red warnings?
Yellow (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. Orange (Severe): Severe, dangerous weather. Unusual phenomena are forecast that may cause damage, accidents and casualties. Red (Extreme): 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.
Do ferries sail during a red warning?
It depends on the wind, not the colour: in strong winds the Coast Guard can issue a sailing ban. Passenger ships usually sail up to about 8 Beaufort, and the final decision lies with the captain and the port authority. Check with the ferry company before going to the port.
Where can I see the official warnings?
On the EMY website (emy.gr) and the MeteoAlarm map (meteoalarm.org). On Yavanet, every warning we have published is on the weather warnings page, by area and time.
Sources
- ΕΜΥ / HNMS – warnings
- MeteoAlarm – Greece
- Wikipedia – MeteoAlarm
- EMMA/MeteoAlarm – Hydro warnings in CAP (2022)
- MeteoAlarm awareness levels (docs)
- newsbeast.gr – ΕΜΥ έκτακτο δελτίο (30.9.2026)
- Civil Protection – storms
- Civil Protection – floods
- 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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