site.btaStorm Byron Triggers Red Code Alert for Extreme Weather in Greece

Greece is suspending school classes as a storm nicknamed Byron is sweeping across the country. The Hellenic National Meteorological Service heightened to Red Code its extreme weather alert, the ERT state television station reported on Thursday.

The telecast said that, as a precautionary measure, schools on the islands of Symi, Hydra and Kythira will remain closed on Thursday and those on the island of Kastellorizo on Friday.

According to the updated emergency severe-weather bulletin, heavy rain, thunderstorms and gale-force winds are expected to last from Thursday through early Saturday in most regions, with the brunt of the storm hitting the east and south of the country.

The downpours will be intense and prolonged. Localized storms are expected to produce hail, while winds in the southeastern Aegean could reach 8-9 on the Beaufort scale on Friday.

The national Risk Assessment Committee is scheduled to meet again at noon on Thursday on account of the bad weather.