Aviation Weather Overview

GreekAirports.gr

9 hours ago

2 min read

20–26 September 2026

Late-September Meteorological Patterns Across Greek FIRs

Transitioning into the final week of September, regional weather patterns sustain firm, stable high-pressure domination across the Greek mainland and Aegean basin. Visual Flight Rules (VFR) prevail universally with pristine skies, crisp horizontal visibility, and seasonal Meltemi airflow easing into gentle, steady breezes across island corridors. Flight dispatchers, pilots, and ground handlers should account for comfortable thermal plateaus and stable density altitude metrics during peak afternoon departure windows.

Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" (LGAV)

Daytime maximums hovering between 28°C and 32°C, easing to comfortable overnight minimums of 19°C–21°C under clear skies. Light, terrain-driven surface breezes.

Operational Impact: Excellent visual and ceiling conditions dominate. Afternoon thermal peaks remain modest, ensuring smooth payload and runway performance parameters for all heavy long-haul departures.

Aerial view of Athens at dusk, featuring the illuminated Acropolis rising above the dense urban cityscape with the Saronic Gulf and distant hills in the background.

Thessaloniki International Airport "Makedonia" (LGTS)

Crisp daytime highs ranging from 26°C to 29°C, dropping to refreshing overnight lows of 16°C–19°C. Stable continental atmospheric profile with light, variable winds.

Operational Impact: Optimal parameters for standard vectoring and precision ILS approaches. Advanced autumn nocturnal cooling effectively stabilizes thermal profiles along northern approach corridors.

Scenic view of the Thessaloniki waterfront promenade running alongside the city's dense urban coastline under a partly cloudy sky.

Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" (LGIR)

Consistent daytime temperatures from 27°C to 30°C, moderated by steady northern Meltemi winds easing to an average of 12–15 knots. Overnight lows settling near 20°C–22°C.

Operational Impact: Reliable maritime airflow keeps runway asphalt temperatures well-regulated. Afternoon crosswind components remain light and predictable, preserving high operational efficiency.

Close-up of a Condor Boeing 757-300 parked on the apron at Heraklion International Airport (LGIR), with the blue waters of the Cretan Sea visible directly behind the aircraft and ground crew.

Rhodes International Airport "Diagoras" (LGRP)

Warm, pleasant conditions with peak afternoon temperatures reaching 29°C to 32°C, easing to comfortable night lows of 19°C–21°C under a persistent north-westerly flow.

Operational Impact: Unrestricted visual approaches across the Dodecanese corridor. Ground crews benefit from declining solar intensity during afternoon turnaround intervals while maintaining standard hydration protocols.

Charming narrow medieval street in the Old Town of Rhodes, featuring historic stone-built walls, arched stone buttresses spanning the alley, and shop displays under bright sunlight.