Balkan temperatures swing as heavy rain heads for Greece

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Last week, the Balkans saw unusually large temperature swings due to a high-pressure system causing clear skies and extended sunshine. This pattern is set to shift as a low-pressure system moves into the Mediterranean, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to Greece, while Hurricane Simon advances toward Mexico's Pacific coast with significant rainfall expected.

Temperatures in the Balkans experienced significant fluctuations last week, with notably large differences between daytime highs and nighttime lows, a phenomenon known as the diurnal range. This was driven by a high-pressure system over the region that produced extended sunshine during the day and clear skies at night, allowing heat to rapidly dissipate.

In Kosanica, Montenegro, the typical October maximum temperature is around 15°C (59°F) and the minimum about 4°C. However, on October 4 and 5, the temperature swings reached as much as 30°C, more than double the usual October average.

Looking ahead, meteorological models indicate that high pressure will strengthen across northern and western Europe in the coming week, pushing a low-pressure system southward toward the Mediterranean. This low-pressure area is expected to deepen as it traverses the Adriatic and Ionian Seas before moving east into the Aegean Sea by midweek.

As a result, Greece is forecast to experience spells of heavy rain and strong winds. Rainfall totals are predicted to range between 50 and 150 millimeters, with the heaviest precipitation expected near the island of Skiathos. The system is projected to continue eastward toward the end of the week, bringing additional showers to parts of Crete. This region was recently affected by severe flooding that displaced vehicles and trees into the sea.

Meanwhile, in the eastern Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Simon—classified as a Category 4 storm—is approaching close to Mexico’s Pacific coast near the state of Jalisco. Simon marks the 21st named storm this season in the Pacific, and the 11th hurricane-strength system. At the time of reporting, the storm has a central pressure of 933 millibars and maximum sustained winds near 150 mph (241 km/h).

Forecasters expect Simon to weaken rapidly if it moves onshore, as it will be deprived of the warm ocean waters that provide its energy. Heavy rainfall associated with Simon is impacting southwestern Mexico, with projected accumulations between 300 and 400 millimeters over broad areas, and up to 400 to 500 millimeters in the heaviest rain zones.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.