The cold weather front called 'Barbara' hit Greece with snowfall that started late on Saturday and continued throughout Sunday 5th February 2023 into Wednesday morning from northern Greece down to Attica, Evia and sections of the Peloponnese.  In Attica, traffic police issued instructions for all drivers to carry snow chains or other non-slip equipment.  It  also banned heavy trucks of over 3.5 tons from several motorways, with authorities also banning such trucks from sections of the Athens-Thessaloniki national road as well.  The Attiki Odos authorities announced that its section from Kifissias to Marathon in the direction to the Athens Airport was closed.  Police banned traffic in the Athens suburbs on Sunday noon.  In the Peloponnese, snow chains were required in sections of Corinth and Messinia. 

Sailing schedules have been suspended at the ports of Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio because of high-velocity winds that in parts registered 9 on the Beaufort scale.  Most sailings from Porto Heli and Ermioni to Piraeus were running over the weekend.  Passengers travelling to Athens International Airport on the metro had to disembark at the Doukissis Plakentias metro station in northern Athens, the last stop on Line 3, and switch to a suburban Proastiakos railway train to complete their journey to the airport.  All train services between Athens and Thessaloniki were cancelled due to snow blocked railway tracks.

Congratulations must go out to the Municipal authority of Ermionida and to the employees and volunteers of the Municipality who, from early Sunday morning, in difficult weather conditions, were fighting to keep the main roads open on the high ground, particularly Mount Didyma, so that its people would have access to hospitals and other emergency needs that might be required.

The severe weather front 'Barbara' that hit Greece since Sunday will continue until Thursday with snowfall according to the new forecast data of the National Observatory of Athens.  Heavy snowfall and plummeting temperatures shut most schools and shops in Athens on Monday, with many services switching to remote working.  Authorities urged the public to avoid all non-essential travel.

A 48-hour shipping strike will close all seaports in Greece from 06:00am Wednesday 8th until 06:00am Friday 10th February 2023.