The heatwaves that affected Greece in July 1987 and July 1988 are considered in terms of (i) the relative strain index. For different types of activity, and (ii) the discomfort index. Hourly values of air temperature and humidity for Thessaloniki and Athens were used as the data base. Both indices show that in terms of physiological strain and general discomfort, Thessaloniki suffered a little more and a little longer than Athens. We conclude that the relative strain index is probably a useful tool in studies of the adverse effects of humid heatwaves on different sections of a population.

Heatwaves, which occurred in both July 1987 and July 1988 in Greece, are considered from the point of view of human discomfort. Hourly values of dry bulb temperature and relative humidity at Thessaloniki, Larissa, and Athens were used to define various limits of discomfort defined by Terjung, Herrington, Thom, and Tromp. On both occasions the heatwave was most severe in Thessaloniki, although both Greek and British press reports concentrated on morbidity and mortality in Athens. Finally, the synoptic situation at the time of each episode is briefly described.

This paper considers annual and seasonal variations of temperatures at three stations in Greece with at least 80 years of records. The extent and nature of non-random changes, such as persistence, trend and fluctuations, are investigated. There is statistical evidence of both Markov linear and non-linear persistence in the data depending on stations and season. The trend analysis showed little of significance, probably because of the time periods chosen. The data were subjected to a 'lowpass filter' of a Gaussian type and the series of fluctuations which resulted are discussed. Finally the data for all three stations were combined and filtered in order to show changes that have occurred in the Greek region during the twentieth century.

The amounts and intensities of rainfall are related to each front that crossed Greece during the period 1971-1981 by using synoptic messages from 26 meteorological stations and from 26 autographic rain-gauges. The fronts were related to five depression tracks described by Flocas. The amount of rainfall was considered for periods of 15,30, and 60 minutes and related to slight, moderate, heavy, and violent intensities. This information will provide a climatological background to forecasts of frontal rainfall.

Monthly and annual values are calculated of a zonal index based on surface pressure at 35"N and 55"N between 60"W and 1O"W. The period under study, 1873-1972, is divided into three sub-periods which approximate with three epochs proposed by Lamb (1972). A comparison of our indices with Lamb's results is followed by a discussion of our monthly index, and the rarity of easterly flow in the 100-year period is noted. The results are subjected to a trend and a power spectrum analysis and the latter indicates a number of periodicities some of which are not easily explicable.

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The Coanda Effect was a major contribution to fluidic technology first described in the 1930's. It explains the result of a jet passing through a nozzle into a large chamber and the consequent pressure distribution. This principle was applied to airstreams over the Carpathians and Transylvanian Alps [2]. A second paper [3] described the results and consequences of the Effect on the weather, vegetation and agriculture of the lower Danube valley. These results are presented here and the principle is applied to two other cases by the author: the strong winds which have been described at Big Delta, Alaska, and the mistral of the Rhone valley. The possible effects are described and a plea is made for detailed mesoscale studies in areas where a Coanda Effect may occur.

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