In 2023, the world witnessed a troubling record: the hottest year ever recorded, with global temperatures surpassing pre-industrial levels by a worrisome +1.48 degrees Celsius. Simultaneously, carbon dioxide levels spiked, reaching 419.3 ppm—2.6 ppm higher than the previous year.
While the global picture painted a dire climate crisis, Greece bore the brunt of this escalating turmoil. With 34 episodes of extreme weather, the nation faced social and economic upheaval, a stark departure from the average over the past two decades.
The most alarming aspect was the human toll—25 lives lost, a staggering figure compared to the region’s historical averages. The year’s events were meticulously documented, revealing a narrative of floods and destructive winds wreaking havoc across the country.
Greece Under the Climate Microscope:
The Hellenic nation experienced its hottest year in the last three decades, with the average maximum temperature soaring above the climate period average of 1991-2020. July 2023 witnessed an unprecedented heatwave, culminating in the highest temperatures ever recorded. Gythio, on July 23, 2023, witnessed a blistering 46.4 degrees Celsius, as over 150 areas across Greece sweltered in temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.
The Mediterranean Sea, too, felt the heat, with temperatures rising above the 1991-2020 climate average, particularly in the southeastern Aegean.
Precipitation Disparities
As for rainfall, 2023 proved one of the driest years in three decades, exacerbating the vulnerability of regions already grappling with climate extremes. Eastern Macedonia, Thrace, parts of the eastern mainland, the islands, and Crete experienced reduced rainfall, while Thessaly, Epirus, and Western Macedonia saw excessive rainfall, especially in September.
Fires Engulf Greece
The wildfires, a grim hallmark of the climate crisis, engulfed vast expanses, scorching 1,740,000 stremmas—a stark departure from the annual average between 2006 and 2023. The harsh meteorological conditions, including a prolonged heatwave, led to the second-worst fire season since the infamous 2007 wildfires.
In fact. August 2023 witnessed the largest forest fire ever recorded in European history since 2000. The fire in Evros, fueled by extremely dry atmospheric conditions, consumed over 900,000 stremmas, leaving an indelible scar on the landscape. As a result, approximately 938,000 stremmas devoured by flames.
Storm “Daniel” Unleashes Chaos
In September, Storm “Daniel” unleashed torrential rains, triggering devastating floods in Thessaly. The deluge claimed 15 lives and submerged fertile lands, leaving behind a landscape of despair. Notably, Zagora Pelion experienced a record-breaking 760 mm of rainfall in a single day.
As the floodwaters recede, Greece grapples with the aftermath, and the echoes of climate change reverberate across the nation. The overflow of Lake Karla, a stark reminder of the destructive power of nature, persists into the early months of 2024.
