Orange warning issued for strong storms and hail on Saturday

Nicosia, Cyprus. Saturday will be intermittently cloudy with local rain and thunderstorms, some of which may be intense and accompanied by hail and gusty winds, the Department of Meteorology said.

Orange warning

An orange warning has been issued for strong storms affecting parts of the island. Rainfall is expected to range from 55mm to 70mm, while hail has not been ruled out.

The warning was upgraded to orange level because rainfall is expected to exceed 55mm.

Winds and temperatures

Winds will blow mainly from the northeast to southeast, light to moderate at 3 to 4 Beaufort and locally strong at 5 Beaufort. During thunderstorms, winds may become variable and strengthen.

The sea will be slight, becoming locally rough in the afternoon.

Temperatures are expected to reach around 30C inland and on the coasts, and around 21C in the higher mountains.

Night and early-week forecast

Saturday night will be mostly clear, although isolated rain may initially occur in the north and along the eastern coasts. Winds will blow mainly from the northwest to northeast at 3 to 4 Beaufort.

The sea will be rough on windward coasts, gradually easing to slight elsewhere.

Weather conditions on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday will be mostly clear, although cloud developing around midday and in the afternoon may bring isolated rain, mainly in the mountains.

Temperatures are expected to rise on Sunday but remain below the seasonal average, at least in the mountains and inland. By Tuesday, temperatures are forecast to return to around the seasonal average generally.