Unsettled weather is expected to continue in Cyprus over the coming days, with the possibility of a yellow warning being issued for thunderstorms on Thursday, particularly in inland and mountainous areas.
The instability seen in recent days, with showers and relatively high temperatures, is linked to conditions that favour cloud development, according to the Department of Meteorology.
While parts of Europe are being hit by extreme heat, including the United Kingdom and France, Cyprus has experienced an unusually wet spring, with scattered showers mainly during the afternoon and early evening.
Speaking to politis.com.cy, Meteorological Department officer Michalis Mouskos said the weather on Thursday is expected to bring “more intense weather phenomena”, with a yellow warning possible for thunderstorms in inland and mountainous areas. Temperatures are forecast to reach 30C inland and 26C on the coast.
Why the showers are occurring
According to Mouskos, the higher temperatures are helping to trigger rainfall, as warm air masses from the mountains and the sea contribute to cloud formation. This is why the showers tend to occur around midday and in the afternoon.
He described them as typical spring showers.
Kataklysmos weekend forecast
The same pattern is expected to continue for the rest of the week, with June beginning on a mild note. Temperatures are expected to remain slightly below normal, at around 29C to 30C, compared with the seasonal average of around 32C.
Mouskos noted that this is being compared with previous years, when Cyprus often experienced heatwaves as early as May. The weather is expected to gradually settle as June progresses.
Relief for dams
Rainfall in May had reached 230% of the monthly average by Wednesday morning, more than double last year’s figure. Together with March and April, this has made for a good and wet spring.
Dam capacity has risen to close to 42%, although Mouskos stressed that caution is still needed, as the summer is expected to be hot.
Detailed forecast
Weak low pressure is affecting the area.
This afternoon, the weather will be mainly clear in most areas, with temporary cloud cover. In the mountains, and possibly in inland areas, developing cloud is expected to bring isolated showers or thunderstorms. Winds will blow mainly south-westerly to north-westerly, light to moderate, 3 to 4 Beaufort, and temporarily moderate to strong, 4 to 5 Beaufort, on the south-western and southern coasts. The sea will be calm to slight, and temporarily slight in the south-west.
Tonight, the weather will be mainly clear, although increased low cloud will be observed locally, mainly in the west. Winds will continue to blow mainly south-westerly to north-westerly, light, 3 Beaufort, and temporarily moderate, 3 to 4 Beaufort, on the coasts. The sea will be calm to slight. Temperatures will fall to around 17C inland and on the coasts, and around 10C in the higher mountains.
On Thursday, increased low cloud will be observed locally in the morning, mainly along the coast, before the weather gradually becomes partly cloudy. From midday onwards, developing cloud is expected to bring local showers and isolated thunderstorms, mainly in the mountains, inland and in eastern areas. Hail is possible during storms.
Winds will blow south-westerly to north-westerly, initially light to moderate, 3 to 4 Beaufort, before strengthening soon to moderate to strong, 4 to 5 Beaufort, and temporarily very strong, 6 Beaufort, on the southern coast in the afternoon. The sea will be calm to slight in the morning, gradually becoming generally slight, and temporarily rough in the south-west and south in the afternoon.
Temperatures will rise to around 30C inland, 28C on the south-eastern and eastern coasts, 25C on the remaining coasts, and 18C in the higher mountains.
On Friday, locally increased cloud will be observed at intervals and may bring isolated showers in the west during the morning. After midday, developing cloud is expected to bring isolated showers, with a thunderstorm not ruled out, mainly in the south and east.
On Saturday, increased cloud is expected in some areas, while isolated showers or thunderstorms are forecast around midday, mainly in the mountains, inland and possibly in the south-east.
On Sunday, the weather will be mainly clear in most areas, with temporary cloud cover. Isolated showers may occur in the mountains after midday.
Temperatures are not expected to change significantly by Sunday and will remain close to the seasonal average.
