Hellenic Police has ordered that all types
© AMNAHellenic Police has ordered that all types of vehicles must be fitted with snow tires or chains in affected areas of Greece during snowy weather, or drivers could be fined.
Greece braced for adverse weather conditions this weekend, some of Athens' northernmost suburbs covered in snow since the early hours of Saturday.

Mountainous areas on Evia and Lesvos islands were also in white on Saturday morning, local media reported.

The former was expected to bear the brunt of the weather. According to the Greek National Meteorological Service (EMY), heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast on the islands of Evia, Sporades, Cyclades, Dodecanese, and Crete, as well as heavy snowfall at high altitudes in East Macedonia, Evia, Attica, and Crete.



Greece on alert as snow approaches

The severe weather warning has placed the Greek Civil Protection services on full alert. An emergency alert was sent to residents of Evia on Friday evening, advising them to stay indoors.

A red code alert was issued for the regions of Central Greece, Attica, East Macedonia and Thrace, providing for immediate staff intervention and heavy machinery operations when needed, AMNA said.

The red alert cautions citizens to be vigilant and act in accordance with the advice of the competent authorities as their daily activities are expected to be significantly impacted.

Road traffic measures in effect

As of 10.00 pm Friday, Hellenic Police has ordered that all types of vehicles must be fitted with snow tires or chains, while all vehicles weghing over 3.5 tons were banned from a great part of Greece's road network.

In Attica and the Athens metropolitan area, a ban on heavy trucks was also introduced at 10 p.m. on Friday and lifted after 9 a.m. on Saturday on the New Athens-Lamia National Road, and on the Old Elefsina-Thives National Road. Traffic signs were placed on specific spots on the left lane of the Athens-Lamia New National Road, to facilitate the parking of trucks banned from circulating on the highway.

Local police directorates were expected to make similar announcements for other national highways as the severe weather advances during the weekend.

Beyond Athens' road network, vehicles must also be fitted with snow tires or chains in the areas of Central Greece, Thessaly, Western and Central Macedonia.

During the night, road traffic was interrupted due to flooding in parts of the highway in Viotia and Evia, both Central Greece.

Long queues were formed in mountainous areas where cars were not equipped with snow tires or chains.

According to law, a fine of 80 euro will be imposed on any vehicles lacking the special equipment during the adverse weather conditions, since the Police warning for snow tires or chains was announced for affected areas on Friday.

Ships docked at Greek ports

Also since Friday, many ships remain docked at most Greek ports due to the gale force winds blowing in the Aegean.

The Greek National Meteorological Service (EMY) advised that winds were reaching 8 and in some cases 10 on the Beaufort scale.

Ferries did not depart from the port of Lavrio on Saturday and one ship was forced to sail back to Rafina port to shelter from the adverse weather.

Passengers are advised to contact their local port authorities for updates on their planned journeys.