Meteorological Officer Matthaios Papadakis struck a reassuring tone on Politis radio on Thursday, discussing the heatwave currently affecting Cyprus.
He said that although the island is under the influence of high temperatures and a yellow warning has been issued, conditions do not compare to the extreme heatwaves currently affecting several European countries. "We have issued a yellow warning. Fortunately, in Cyprus we are not facing such extreme conditions. Maximum temperatures will reach around 40C inland, 35C on the southern, eastern and northern coasts, 32C on the western coast and around 31C in the higher mountain areas," he said.
According to Papadakis, the weather is not expected to change significantly over the coming days, with similar temperatures forecast for Friday and over the weekend. "For now, we don't appear to be heading toward higher temperatures that would justify upgrading the warning to orange. We will most likely continue with a yellow warning," he said.
On the wider weather picture, he explained that conditions will remain mostly clear in most areas, though localised cloud will build over the mountains in the afternoons, with a small chance of isolated rain today, Saturday and Sunday. He also noted that the yellow warning is in effect from 2pm to 4.30pm, the period when temperatures are expected to reach their highest levels of the day.
Asked whether August could bring a new spell of extreme heat, Papadakis said the seasonal forecast data available does not currently point to such a scenario. "Seasonal forecasts are not entirely accurate, and we cannot rely on them exclusively. So far, however, they point to temperatures around one to two degrees above normal for the season, which in any case are already close to 40C," he said.
The full forecast
A seasonal low-pressure system is affecting the area. This afternoon, the weather will be mostly clear, with increasing local cloud developing over time, possibly bringing isolated rain in the mountains. Winds will be mainly south-westerly to north-westerly, light to moderate, force 3 to 4, becoming moderate to strong along the coasts by the afternoon, force 4 to 5. The sea will be mostly calm to slightly rough, briefly slightly rough along windward coasts in the afternoon.
Temperatures will rise to around 40C inland, around 32C on the southwestern and western coasts, around 34C on the remaining coasts and around 30C in the higher mountains. Tonight will remain mostly clear, with increasing low cloud later, mainly on the southern and eastern coasts. Winds will continue mainly south-westerly to north-westerly, light and briefly moderate, force 3 to 4. The sea will be mostly calm to slightly rough, though locally in the west and north it will remain slightly rough.
Temperatures will fall to around 23C inland and along the coasts, and around 20C in the higher mountains. Tomorrow will be mostly clear, though increasing cloud will appear over the mountains in the afternoon. Temperatures will rise to around 40C inland, around 35C on the southern, eastern and northern coasts, around 32C on the western coast and around 31C in the higher mountains.
On Saturday and Sunday, weather in most areas will remain mostly clear with occasional increased cloud, though cloud developing over the mountains after midday is expected to bring isolated rain or a thunderstorm. Temperatures are not expected to change significantly through Sunday, continuing to run above normal for the season.
