Early Snowfall Dusts Northern Greece’s Peaks

Below-zero temperatures were recorded connected Greece’s highest peaks, including Mount Olympus. Credit: Forecast Weather/Facebook

Northern Greece has experienced an unusually aboriginal sensation of winter, with the archetypal snowfall of the play blanketing high-altitude mountains similar Mount Olympus, Kaimaktsalan, and Falakro.

The acold beforehand brought sub-zero temperatures, dropping to −1C astatine the Kakalos Refuge connected Olympus (2,650 meters), wherever the legendary peaks received a dusting of snowfall supra 2,500 meters.

The wintry conditions, which besides coated the Kaimaktsalan and Falakro skis centers, are forecast to proceed crossed the portion until Friday.

Early October snowfall is uncommon for Greece

This aboriginal October snowfall is highly uncommon for Greece, having been observed a fewer times successful the past. While clime information shows a semipermanent diminution successful snowfall duration crossed the country, this antithetic lawsuit has excited section upwind enthusiasts, prompting speculation astir a perchance snowier wintertime ahead.

According to studies conducted by METEO (the meteorological portion of the National Observatory of Athens), crossed Greece, the duration of the snowfall screen play has been decreasing by astir 1.5 days per twelvemonth implicit the investigation play of 1991 to 2020.

This yearly complaint translates to a important nonaccomplishment successful full snow-covered days implicit the 3 decades, peculiarly successful cardinal and bluish mountainous regions, which person experienced a nonaccomplishment of 30 to 50 days with snowfall cover.

Studies amusement that snowfall is becoming rarer successful autumn, starting aboriginal (towards the extremity of November successful the mountains), portion the snowmelt begins earlier successful the spring, importantly shortening the wide snowfall season.

Snowmelt is important for replenishing freshwater reserves and groundwater recharge successful Greece. Reduced and shorter snowfall screen negatively impacts these vital h2o supplies.

Related: Drought Emergency: Greece Unveils Plan arsenic Attica’s Water Reserves Halved