Strong showers, storms forecast on Sunday and Monday

The Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS) on Saturday forecast downpours and storms for most parts of the country on Sunday, warning motorists to take precautions as they return from the holiday break.

Strong rains will make their appearance in the early hours of Sunday in the Ionian Sea and the western mainland, gradually spreading east to reach the islands of the Aegean, including Crete.

Winds at sea are expected to reach speeds of 7-8 Beaufort, and as high as 9 Beaufort in the Aegean.

The HNMS said that there will also be heavy snowfall in the mountains of northern Greece, Epirus, the western mainland and Thessaly.

On Monday, the downpours and storms will be restricted to the eastern and southeastern Aegean, but are expected to pick up again later in the day in western parts of the country.