As the weather system currently affecting Cyprus gradually weakens, a new wave of unsettled conditions is expected to reach the island from Italy within the next few hours. According to the Meteorological Service, the coming days will bring renewed rainfall, strong winds and fluctuating temperatures, before conditions improve towards the weekend.
Heavier rain expected on Thursday night
Meteorological Officer Andreas Hadjigeorgiou told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that rainfall and unsettled weather are expected to intensify during the evening hours on Thursday. In coastal areas, the phenomenon may develop into thunderstorms, possibly accompanied by hail.
He explained that the current weather conditions are linked to a low-pressure system that has been affecting Greece since Wednesday and has extended its influence over Cyprus.
Temporary easing on Friday morning
The low-pressure system moving from Greece is expected to weaken, with no particularly dangerous phenomena forecast. According to the latest outlook, by Friday morning weather activity will be limited to isolated showers, mainly affecting western areas, mountainous regions and the southwest, including Paphos district, the mountains and possibly Limassol district.
New low-pressure system from Italy
From Friday evening, a new low-pressure system moving eastwards from north-eastern Italy is expected to affect Cyprus. This system is forecast to bring rain and isolated thunderstorms until the early afternoon hours of Saturday.
Conditions are expected to improve later on Saturday afternoon. However, Mr Hadjigeorgiou noted that there is still uncertainty regarding the intensity of Saturday’s weather phenomena, making it too early to determine whether a weather warning will be issued.
Gradual improvement after Saturday
After Saturday, the low-pressure system is expected to weaken further. On Sunday and Monday, weather conditions are forecast to be partly cloudy, with a noticeable rise in temperatures on Sunday.
Temperatures and frost risk
Asked whether Cyprus will remain in “cold storage” until Sunday, Mr Hadjigeorgiou said temperatures are expected to rise on Friday compared to Thursday. Maximum temperatures will reach around 15°C inland and along the coast, while higher mountainous areas will see temperatures of around 5°C.
He added that frost may form in mountainous areas during Friday night and into the daytime, with temperatures one to two degrees below the seasonal average. By Sunday, temperatures are expected to rise close to, or even above, the average climatic values for this time of year.
Strong winds gradually easing
Regarding winds accompanying the unsettled weather, Mr Hadjigeorgiou said that for a few more hours on Thursday winds will remain very strong to gale force, ranging from 6 to 7 and locally up to 8 Beaufort along the coast.
Later, winds are expected to weaken to around 6 Beaufort, before dropping further to strong winds of around 5 Beaufort by Thursday night. No winds stronger than 5 Beaufort are forecast up to Monday, with gusty conditions mainly affecting coastal areas at times.
Source: CNA