Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net 1680-7367 1680-7375 7 4 2007 10.5194/acpd-7-10631-2007 http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/7/10631/2007/ http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/7/10631/2007/acpd-7-10631-2007.html http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/7/10631/2007/acpd-7-10631-2007.pdf 10631 10667 2007-07-23 The effect of the total solar eclipse of 29 March 2006 on meteorological variables in Greece D. Founda founda@meteo.noa.gr D. Melas S. Lykoudis I. Lisaridis E. Gerasopoulos G. Kouvarakis M. Petrakis C. Zerefos National Observatory of Athens, Institute for Environmental Research and Sustainable Development, Greece Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Physics Department, Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics, Thessaloniki, Greece University of Crete, Chemistry Department, Environmental and Chemical Processes Laboratory, Crete, Greece This paper examines the effect of the total solar eclipse of 29 March 2006 on meteorological variables across Greece. Integrated micrometeorological measurements were conducted at Kastelorizo, a small island within the path of totality, and other sites within the Greek domain, with various degrees of solar obscuration. The observations showed a dramatic reduction in the incoming global radiation and subsequent, pronounced changes in surface air temperature with the lowest temperature values occurring about 15 min after the full phase. 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