Heavy snow and bitter cold for northern Greece

Heavy snow fall since early Monday morning in many areas up north, even of low altitude, close to Thessaloniki mainly in Pella, Imathia and Kilkis, with snow reaching heights of above 10cm.

In large parts of the national and provincial road network, vehicular traffic necessitates snow tire chains.

Meanwhile, traffic is moving with difficulty on the Thessaloniki-Serres road, where snow plows can barely clear the area of the thick snow.

Chains are also needed on the Thessaloniki-Evzonoi national road, mountain roads in Kilkis, and large parts of the provincial road network in Drama and Serres.

Problems have arisen in the section of Egnatia between Kleidi and Alexandria Imathias, and in the Thessaloniki-Athens national road from Malgara up to Korinos in Pieria.

There has been heavy snow fall in Hortiatis (Thessaloniki) where police banned vehicular traffic on Hortiatis-Agios Vasilios road, while chains are needed on the old Thessaloniki-Serres national road at the Melissohori-Oraiokastro provincial section.

Rain and intermittent sleet are falling in Thessaloniki, with the temperature between 2 and 5 degrees Celsius.
 
Schools closed due to snow

Heavy snow has «closed»  many schools in the country.

On Monday, all schools in the county of Serres will remain closed following the Prefect's decision.

Snow plows are trying to open the road network but the Serres-Thessaloniki national road remains closed.

In fact, just after 8am a lorry «folded» on the 27th km due to the slippery road, making the road opening effort even more difficult.

Schools will also remain closed in the county of Kastoria due to heavy weather conditions, with the snow reaching 15cm in the city. Schools are also closed in the counties of Florina, Imathia and the province of Goumenissa, Kilkis.