A wave of severe weather sweeping across Greece since early Wednesday has brought heavy rain, thunderstorms, snowfall and gale-force winds, disrupting road traffic and maritime transport. No injuries or casualties have been reported.
Heavy snowfall in central Greece, exceeding half a meter in some areas, has prompted authorities to mandate the use of snow chains in Evrytania, Fthiotida and Fokida, as well as in Viotia, northwest of Athens, and the island Evia, northeast of the capital.Â
In Fthiotida, truck traffic has been banned on sections of the E65 highway, while snowplows and salt spreaders are operating continuously to keep roads passable.
A similar ban is in effect on the Lamia-Karpenisi highway, between the 47th and 72nd kilometers. In Domoko, intensified snowfall has led to restrictions on heavy vehicles along the old Lamia-Domoko-Larissa route, with snow chains required for all other traffic.
Also, ferry operators serving the northern Aegean have announced schedule changes from Wednesday through Friday, while ferry services nationwide were suspended.
Schools remained closed on Wednesday in many regions, including Athens, where heavy rainfall has already caused local disruptions.
The adverse weather conditions are expected to continue into Thursday.