Shemaine Bushnell Kyriakides
With Greek Easter just around the corner, Cypriots are preparing for a feast of biblical proportions. This holiday marks the end of a 40-day fasting period for many, and the locals are eagerly anticipating indulging in all of their favorite Easter treats. Despite concerns about bad weather, it seems that the forecast is predicting great conditions for outdoor cooking, especially for making "souvla," a traditional lamb cooked on the spit or 'fugu' as they call it.
As always, lamb will be the star of the show, with thousands of Cypriots preparing to cook up a storm. In fact, there are so many lambs to be cooked that it's rumored the island's entire woolly population is currently in hiding. For those not keen on lamb, there are plenty of other Easter delicacies to enjoy, from freshly baked tsourekia to mouth-watering flaounes.
Aside from the feasting, there will be plenty of other Easter activities to keep the islanders busy. Traditional church services will take place, with many attending the famous midnight mass on Easter Saturday. In between, locals will catch up with friends and family, exchange Easter greetings, and generally have a good time.
So bring your appetite and your party hat to this celebration to remember. The weather forecast is looking great, so no need to worry about bad weather spoiling the festivities. Happy Greek Easter!
The detailed weather forecast:
Currently, the area is experiencing weak low pressure, with low pressure expected to affect the area from Tuesday night through Thursday. Until Tuesday noon, there will be light dust in the atmosphere.
In the afternoon, expect partly cloudy weather in several areas, with locally increased clouds potentially leading to isolated rain and possible isolated short storms, particularly in the mountains and the east. The winds will mainly be southwest to northwest weak to moderate, 3 to 4 Beaufort, and locally on the west and southwest coasts up to strong, 5 Beaufort. The sea will be very rough.
Tonight, there will be temporarily increased clouds. The winds will mainly be west to northwest light to moderate, 3 to 4 Beaufort, and transient moderate, 4 Beaufort. The sea will be slightly rough to rough. The temperature will drop to around 11 degrees Celsius inland, around 14 degrees Celsius on the coast, and around 4 degrees Celsius in the higher mountains.
Tomorrow, the weather will be partly cloudy at times, with isolated rains expected after noon, without ruling out an isolated storm, particularly in the mountains and the eastern half of the island. The winds will blow southwest to northwest weak to moderate, 3 to 4 Beaufort, and on the leeward coast moderate to strong, 4 to 5 Beaufort. The sea will be slightly rough to rough. The temperature will rise to around 21 degrees Celsius inland on the south and east coasts, around 20 degrees Celsius on the west and north coasts, and around 11 degrees Celsius in the higher mountains.
On Wednesday, the weather will continue to be partly cloudy at times, with local rain and isolated thunderstorms expected. On Thursday, isolated rains or even a storm are expected, initially mainly in the west and later in the south and east. By Friday, the weather is expected to be mostly sunny.
The temperature will not change significantly on Wednesday and will fluctuate below the climatic average values. On Thursday and Friday, a gradual rise in temperature is expected to fluctuate close to the climatic average values. Despite the expected rainfall and isolated storms, the weather forecast indicates overall great conditions for outdoor cooking and celebrations during the Greek Easter period in Cyprus.
