Athens Storm Alert July 24–25, 2026: Thunderstorms, Hail and Strong Winds
Update — Friday, July 24, 2026: The Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY) has an emergency severe weather bulletin in force for most of Greece. Heavy thunderstorms with hail, frequent lightning and gusts strong enough to bring down branches are forecast from Friday afternoon through Saturday morning. Attica — including Athens and the airport — is under an orange warning from the afternoon until late evening. Conditions improve on Saturday, and summer weather returns on Sunday.
| Service | Impact, July 24–25 |
|---|---|
| Athens airport (ATH) | Flights operating; localised delays possible during afternoon and evening thunderstorms |
| Roads and taxis | Heavy downpours from the afternoon, mainly northern and eastern Attica — allow extra time |
| Metro, tram, buses | Running normally; no strikes announced |
| Ferries | Sailing as scheduled, but winds up to 7 Beaufort in parts of the Aegean — check with your operator |
| Evia and the Sporades | Red warning — avoid non-essential travel until Saturday morning |
What happened
After the 43°C heatwave peaked on July 22, a sharp change in the weather followed. EMY issued an emergency bulletin on July 23 and confirmed on July 24 that it remains fully in force: intense storms with hail and gale-force gusts are crossing the country. In Attica, rain and heavy thunderstorms are expected from the afternoon onwards, mainly over the northern and eastern parts of the region — the side where Athens International Airport sits. Temperatures fall to 20–29°C, and northerly winds may reach 6 Beaufort locally and 7 Beaufort at sea. The highest-risk zones are eastern Thessaly, Evia and the Sporades, where a red warning applies into Saturday morning.
Getting to and from the airport during the storm
Public transport is running normally, but heavy rain slows Attiki Odos and the airport road noticeably, and taxi availability in central Athens drops fast once a downpour starts. If you fly on Friday evening or Saturday morning, leave 30–45 minutes earlier than usual and prefer a pre-booked, fixed-price transfer so a driver is committed to your pickup regardless of the weather. Metro Line 3 is a reliable rain-proof alternative if you are staying near a station.
Source: ProtoThema English — EMY severe weather warning remains in effect (July 24, 2026)
Flying out during the storm window?
Lock in a fixed price and a committed driver before the afternoon rush — storm evenings are when street taxis become hardest to find.
Athens storm alert: frequently asked questions
Will flights from Athens airport be cancelled on July 24?
No mass cancellations are expected. Thunderstorms can cause short delays or holding patterns during the afternoon and evening — check your airline app for live updates before heading out.
Are ferries from Piraeus and Rafina running during the storm?
There is no ferry strike and sailings are scheduled to run. With northerly winds up to 7 Beaufort in parts of the Aegean, some routes may see delays or itinerary changes — confirm with your operator before travelling to the port.
How long will the bad weather last in Athens?
The storms affect Attica mainly from Friday afternoon until late evening. Conditions improve on Saturday, and sunny summer weather returns from Sunday with rising temperatures.
Related guides
- Athens strikes and disruptions tracker
- Athens airport taxi guide 2026
- Athens heatwave and fire alert — July 22, 2026
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