Greece: Inclement weather nationwide, heavy snow up north

23. December 2011. An inclement weather front hit the country early on Thursday, with heavy snowfall in the north of the country and on high ground in northern and central Greece, gale force winds and heavy rainfall in most parts of the country. The bad spell is forecast to continue throughout Thursday in all parts of the country, with heavy rain and snowstorms on high ground and plains in northern and central Greece, with the main thrust in western Greece, Macedonia, Thrace, the northern and eastern Aegean and the Dodecanese Islands. The bad conditions are expected to subside late at night in the northern Ionian Islands and the central and western mainland. The severe weather conditions are expected to improve Friday in the northern Ionian Islands and the central mainland, but will continue throughout the rest of the country. By Friday afternoon, the bad weather is expected to recede gradually in western and northern Greece. Temperatures will remain low throughout the entire country until the middle of next week. Gale force winds have severely affected maritime transport, and ferry services have been ordered not to sail. Northern Greece was the hardest hit by the front, marked by heavy snowfall, rain and low temperatures. Drivers required snow chains in most mountain areas. –EMG.rs