ATHENS, July 9, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Greece recorded in 2024 its hottest June 
since 1960, a researcher said Tuesday, as the Mediterranean nation braces for 
a season of heatwaves and wildfires.
 
The average temperature in Greece has increased by 2.5 degrees Celsius during 
the decades from 1960 to 2024, said Kostas Lagouvardos, research director at 
the National Observatory of Athens.

"The month of June 2024 was characterised by long periods of elevated 
temperatures over several days, largely surpassing normal seasonal 
temperatures throughout the country," he added.

While June temperatures in Greece normally do not exceed 30-31 degrees 
Celsius (86-88 degrees Fahrenheit), the nation had temperatures this year of 
35C and a heatwave in mid-June with temperatures of over 40C, Lagouvardos 
said.

Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis told reporters this week there 
had been 1,281 fires this June compared with 533 last June.

Strong winds and drought conditions have fanned fires in recent weeks in the 
area around Athens, on the island of Chios near the Turkish mainland and in 
the Peloponnese region south of the capital.

Scientists say climate change makes extreme weather events including 
heatwaves more likely, longer lasting and more intense.