Orange warning issued as heavy rain and storms forecast for Cyprus

Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus is expected to experience a sharp change in weather on Saturday, with temperatures falling by about 10 degrees and an orange warning in force for heavy rain and thunderstorms.

The Department of Meteorology said parts of the island could receive between 55mm and 70mm of rain, while hail and temporarily stronger winds are also possible.

Orange warning

Department of Meteorology officer Iasonas Christodoulou said the island is being affected by a seasonal low-pressure system and a disturbance from the north.

The orange warning concerns strong thunderstorms affecting parts of Cyprus. Rainfall is expected to exceed 55mm, with hail not ruled out.

Winds may shift direction and strengthen temporarily during storms, with stronger gusts possible.

Saturday forecast

Saturday is expected to be intermittently cloudy, with local rain and thunderstorms. Some storms may be intense and accompanied by hail and gusty winds.

Winds may locally reach force 5 on the Beaufort scale during storms, while their direction and intensity may change temporarily.

Temperatures are forecast to reach around 30 degrees Celsius inland and along the coast, and about 21 degrees in the higher mountains.

Weather outlook

Christodoulou said the unsettled conditions are expected to last for one day.

From Sunday through Tuesday, the weather is expected to be mostly clear, although cloud development around midday and in the afternoon may bring isolated rain, mainly in the mountains.

Temperatures are expected to rise from Sunday, remaining below average climatological values in some areas, particularly inland and in the mountains. By Tuesday, temperatures are forecast to return generally to around the seasonal average, reaching about 38 degrees Celsius.