"The worst storm of the decade", said journalists... (photos)

I'm not sure, if that's so true, but I don't remember what happened 10 years ago either... However, it was for sure a severe storm, although most of journalists always exaggerate, when it has to do with weather... They were advising all day people not to leave their homes, because it's very dangerous! Snowing in South Greece is not a rare phenomenon, but it's rediculous to keep people at home just of 25-50cm snow, especially when children love snow...
Yes, the amount of snow was 20-50cm and the snowfalls continue. So, many areas will possible experience up to 100cm of snow till tomorrow! Even in the centre of Athens some cms of snow covered the streets and up to 15-25cms of snow covered areas around the city! The schools tomorrow will be closed and many villages are already excluded without electricity!
According to a meteorologist 3 things made this severe storm. Firstly, a front coming from North, then a a cold air mass and finally the winds. Maybe the front was the reason for some thunders, that were heard during the snowfalls yesterday night in Athens! Thunders and snowfall is a seldom combination! A record was also set today. The temperature was -13oC at a height of 850hPa over Athens and -40oC at 500hPa!
Now, how was the weather in North Greece? Sunny!! Few clouds around and a severe North wind made the real feel of temperature much colder!! The min today was -2,5oC and the max +3oC and not 0oC as they said on TV. However, the temperature is below 0oC again and will be lower tomorrow.
The weather will get warmer quickly again by Wednesday!

You can watch some videos I found on the Internet showing the snowfalls in Athens!


American tourists surprised with snow in Athens!

Snow also in Crete!!!


And some photos taken by members of the Greek weather list "HellasWeather".
Athens

Maria Kavadia



Vangelis Tsakirakis

Stratis Vougioukas

Dimitris Kabolis

PetrosV

And Theva


Achilleas Katsaros



PS. I heard a meteorologist on TV today, that all these severe snowfalls, happened due to a phenomenon called "Lake-effect snow", something that happens commonly in North America.
More info about the lake-effect snow;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_effect_snow