Over the weekend, Greece will be covered with dust from the Sahara and “mud” rains

May 16–17 in Greece rain, thunderstorms are expected, dust from the Sahara and in places “mud” sediments. The atmosphere will begin to clear on Sunday.

According to meteorologists, one barometric minimum is approaching from the coast North Africa and will contribute to the transfer of significant volumes of desert dust. The second comes from more northern latitudes and will bring precipitation and local thunderstorms to a number of regions of the country. As a result, the weather over the weekend will again give Greece a small climatic circus: in some places there are showers, in others there is dust, in others it is warm, and in others all of this at once – because May decided to work in special effects mode.

According to the meteorologist’s forecast Clearhos Marousakisfrom Saturday, May 16the country will actually be divided into two weather zones. Showers and localized thunderstorms are expected in the central, western and northern parts, while higher temperatures, Saharan dust and brief weak spells are forecast in the south. “dirty” precipitation.

According to meteo.gron Saturday May 16, 2026 Rain and occasional thunderstorms are expected across large parts of the country. Precipitation will first appear in the west, then gradually affect almost all mainland areas, with the exception of Eastern Macedonia And Thraceas well as the central and southern part Aegean Sea.

By the end of the day, the phenomena will persist mainly in Ionian Seacentral and northern mainland areas, as well as in the northern part Aegean Sea. The concentration of dust in the atmosphere will be increased, so precipitation mixed with dust is possible in some areas.

Where will it be warmest?

Temperatures on Saturday will vary markedly across regions. According to meteo.grV Western Macedonia expected from 9 to 20 degreesin the rest Macedonia And Thrace – from 10 to 26V Thessaly – from 14 to 24V Epirus – from 12 to 17on the islands Ionian Sea – from 14 to 20.

On the islands of the northern and eastern Aegean Sea the temperature will be from 10 to 25 degreeson Cyclades And Dodecanese – from 16 to 26and on Crete – from 14 to 30 degrees. It is the southern regions, including Cretemay feel a more pronounced influence of warm air masses and dust.

IN Attica Cloudy skies are expected with a higher chance of localized showers in the morning and midday. In the center Athens the temperature will remain within 18–24 degrees. In the area Thessaloniki clouds, showers and possible thunderstorms are forecast from midday; the temperature in the city center will be 16–24 degrees.

Dust from the Sahara and “mud” rains

According to the message meteo.gratmospheric circulation associated with the rapid passage of the barometric minimum will cause desert dust to be transported sideways Greece. On Saturday morning, dust concentrations will first increase in the west, then gradually in the rest of the country.

As the day and evening progress, the dust will shift and be limited mainly to the southern and eastern areas. By the early hours of Sunday, May 17dust concentrations in the south and east should decrease significantly. At the same time, according to forecasts, especially increased concentrations are expected in the western part Crete on Saturday evening.

The combination of dust and precipitation can cause “mud” in the rain: after them, a characteristic dusty coating remains on cars, balconies, windows and street surfaces. Yes, nature again reminds us that a free car wash from rain sometimes works exactly the opposite.

Wind and better weather

In the northern and central parts Aegean Sea Southerly winds will blow strongly on Saturday 4–6 points on the Beaufort scale. In the southern part of the Aegean, the wind will initially be westerly, but in the morning it will change to south, also until 4–6 points. IN Ionian Sea The wind will initially be southerly, but in the afternoon it will change to northerly with the same strength.

From Sunday May 17the winds will begin to turn to the western and northwestern directions, and the atmosphere will gradually clear of dust. This does not mean an immediate return to the ideal spring picture, but the main concentrations of Saharan dust should noticeably weaken.

What to pay attention to

Residents and visitors to the country should take into account reduced visibility, dust in the air and the possibility of dirty precipitation. For people with respiratory problems, allergies and cardiovascular diseases, it is better to limit prolonged exposure to the street during periods of high dust concentrations, especially in the southern and eastern regions.

Drivers should be careful during rain and thunderstorms, especially in western, central and northern regions where locally intense precipitation is possible. In coastal and offshore areas, it is also worth considering wind increases up to 6 points.

Editorial comment

A new wave of Saharan dust shows that dust from the Sahara is becoming almost a seasonal norm for Greece. The problem isn’t just dirty cars and cloudy skies: dust degrades air quality and especially hits people with chronic illnesses. Therefore, dust forecasts should be perceived not as exotic weather conditions, but as a completely practical warning.

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