Storm over

(there used to be a very big tree there…)

Here are some results of the heavy storm, with winds reaching 10 Beaufour, that hit Skopelos island and other areas. The storm was expected last night but on Skopelos early this morning we had the most wind and rain. We are very lucky that around that time not many people were around. A lot of trees were uprooted and many branches were cut off. Some trees on the harbor front were trimmed after branches broke off and fell in between the coffee places. Walls caved in and stones came down from rock formations.

In Elios many trees on the beach were uprooted and some big branches fell in the playground area.

Source of both videos: Ευαγγελος Ευαγγελινος

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Bad weather coming

Bad weather is forecasted for the Thessaly province (Volos and Larissa included) and the Sporades. The weather will start tonight and can continue all day tomorrow, Saturday. EMY, the National Meteorological Service has send out warnings that heavy rain and strong winds can occur (see map) Please be careful.

Source: http://www.emy.gr/emy/en/warning/meteoalarm

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The same wind

My son sent me a photograph this morning of us exactly three years ago when we were out on a beach an I talked about the wind blowing and the cobwebs blowing away. Today is a day like that again.

A lot of wind and colder temperatures ( about five degrees Celsius) No boats coming or leaving the island. I ordered and bought three litres of goat milk this morning and am now thinking of the things I could make: maybe rice pudding? It is a day like that…

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Different weather, just as beautiful

Rain, wind and colder temperatures do not deter us from going to the beaches and the colors of the sea and the sky are beautiful!

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Wind!!!

Yes we had a lot of wind, a lot of beaches have changed shape again. Some sandy beaches have now pebbles on them, others that had pebbles are now completely sandy and others have all the sand taken away and stones are showing. It was eventful..

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Big weather change in Greece

A massive weather deterioration with the first snowfalls is underway on upcoming weekend November 18-19, 2023. Greece’s National Meteorological Service EMY issued a weather warning on Thursday afternoon.

Main features of the weather deterioration are forecast to be:

• Gale force winds of 8 to 9 Beaufort and gusts up to 10 B.
• Locally heavy rainfalls and storms.
• Snowfalls.

Affected will be mostly Northern Greece and the islands of the eastern Aegean Sea.

Boat itineraries will be affected for sure. On Saturday there might be no boats going. Please contact the boat/ticket offices on Skopelos and in Volos.

Source: https://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2023/11/16/weather-gale-force-winds-first-snow/

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How we are

A couple of readers of the blog have asked me to describe the situation on Skopelos after the storm. About Skiathos I know that flights are coming in, boats are coming and going and people have arrived and left there. Some flight companies have cancelled flights but both Skopelos and Alonissos mayors have protested and have stated that it safe to travel and the islands are 100% functioning.

Skopelos is fine and has not been badly hit by the storm. Stores are open, bars are open, restaurants are open. You can visit the beaches, the country side.

There were power cuts and there were some damages to electricity lines and boxes after and during the storm. Also the internet did not funtion well for a while.

Some agricultural roads had minor damage or were partly blocked but they have been cleared and repaired. The municipality had cleared major water arteries and areas where they knew water could be blocked and cause damage. This was done before the storm.

If you are travelling to Skopelos or any island of the Sporades please ask the travel agency you are travelling with, the car rental, the boat ticket office, the hotel where you are staying what the travel situation is. On the mainland the situation is different than here. There is still a lot of water there and highways can be blocked or difficult to travel on.

There are still a lot of people who are suffering in areas on the mainland. Plains in the Thessaly area have flooded. Read the article of the Greek City Times here

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Stay alert, be careful new weather alert

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Bad weather in Sporades including Skopelos!

EMERGENCY NOTICE OF HAZARDOUS WEATHER PHENOMENA

According to the EMY bulletin issued on September 3, 2023, heavy rainfall will occur and affect the Sporades and our island – storms with a high frequency of lightning, strong winds and flooding phenomena. Rainfall in the Sporades will be the highest. The duration of the phenomena will last from noon on Monday until the morning hours on Thursday.

We draw your attention and recommend:

1. Avoid unnecessary movement during periods of heavy rain, and move only if necessary

2. Remove objects that can be washed away by rainwater

3. Clear your properties of portable materials

Anybody that needs to travel these days please make sure you know when your boat leaves and from which harbour. Boats might not run so make sure you get the right information from the boat ticket offices. You might have to leave the island earlier.

Boats might leave from the port of Agnondas and you need transportation. Busses might connect but make sure you are on time when you leave from another port. Make sure if you want to take a taxi to book them beforehand.

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Please be careful, protect Skopelos

Tomorrow, Thursday will be one of the most difficult days concerning the fire hazard for the Sporades and a big part of the mainland.Very high temperatures,very dry soil and lots of wind. See photo.

Please don’t work with machines that can cause sparks of fire, don’t BBQ or cook outside, anywhere! Don’t drive or walk in forest areas. Take your cigarette/cigar leftovers with you, put them in some water before you throw them away. Avoid situations that can cause fire!

Please help protect this beautiful island and anywhere else that you visit, in Greece or somewhere else in the world. We can make that difference.

If you see anything suspicious please call the fire department +30 2424024199.

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