A severe “heat dome” is currently suffocating Western and Northwestern Europe, bringing record-breaking May temperatures to countries like the UK, France, and Spain. This persistent weather system acts like a lid, trapping hot air near the earth’s surface. In London, for instance, the mercury soared to a record-breaking 34.8°C (94.82°F) on Monday and 35.1°C (95.18°F) today.

However, Theodoros Kolydas, prominent meteorologist and former director of the Hellenic National Meteorological Service reassured Greeks that they’ll be dodging the extreme heat, at least for the time being.

The reason, Kolydas explained in a blog post, is that the country sit just on the edge of the anticyclone causing the heat dome.

But this does not mean Greece won’t heat up this summer, he warns. Forecasting data indicates a gradual transition to above average temperatures by the second week of June.

In the meantime, Greece has been getting its first taste of summer, with the temperature exceeding 30°C (86°F) in many areas of the country. For the beginning of June, Kolydas also notes that major urban centres like Athens and Thessaloniki will consistently reach 86°F, which is nonetheless considered normal for early summer.

According to the European State of the Climate report, published by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 2025 was the third warmest year on record.

Scientists have also measured that Europe is warming at nearly twice the global average rate—0.56°C (1°F) per decade, compared to the global average of 0.27°C (0.49°F). Last year, a whopping 95% of Europeans experienced above average annual temperatures.