Cyprus records wettest August in more than a century

Nicosia, Cyprus. August 2026 was the wettest August recorded in Cyprus in more than a century, with average rainfall across the government-controlled areas reaching 30mm, the Met Office said on Wednesday. The total was 1,034 per cent of the normal August average of 2.9mm.

Record rainfall

The Met Office said the figure was the highest average August rainfall in its available historical record, which dates back to 1902.

The previous August record of 20.6mm was set in 1971. This year’s total exceeded that level by 9.4mm, or about 46 per cent.

Severe weather at month-end

The exceptional rainfall was largely linked to severe weather during the final days of August, particularly on August 29.

Between August 28 and 30, average rainfall across the government-controlled areas was estimated at 22.5mm, with most of the precipitation falling on August 29. Some areas recorded between 50mm and 75mm during the three-day period.

The rainfall affected a significant part of the island rather than being limited to isolated locations.

Atmospheric conditions

The Met Office attributed the intensity and widespread nature of the weather to an unusually favourable combination of atmospheric conditions.

A weak low-pressure system south of Cyprus, together with an upper-atmosphere disturbance, caused air masses to converge at lower atmospheric levels. This forced warm, humid air upwards, while the upper-level disturbance strengthened rising air movements and atmospheric instability, creating conditions for organised thunderstorms to develop and persist.