Cyprus gets yellow warning ahead of cold blast

A wind advisory and a flood warning went into effect Friday, ahead of a cold weekend, with weather officials warning of gusty winds as an incoming cold front and high pressure battle it out.

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Cypriot weather officials say a cold air mass from the east, centered around the Greek island of Rhodes, is affecting the area on Friday, while a cold front combined with gradual high pressure is expected on Saturday.

A yellow warning Friday morning from 6am will remain in effect through the evening at 9pm, with isolated heavy thunderstorms expected to affect many areas. Precipitation may exceed 35 millimeters per hour while wind gusts may reach 8 points on the Beaufort scale.

Due to mixed weather conditions, there will be sunshine throughout Friday but also cloudy skies on and off, with local showers and isolated thunderstorms, while heavy winds are expected to batter many areas in the evening.

A hail storm is also possible during stormy weather while snow is expected throughout the day up high in the mountains. Officials said snowfall could also reach rural areas further down near the foothills of the Troodos Mountain range.

Temperature highs will be in the mid-teens inland and along the coast, around 16 degrees Celsius, while it will be 4 degrees up high in the mountains. Lows will take a dip down to 6 degrees in the interior, around 10 in the west, 9 in all other coastal regions, while it will be minus three (-3) up high in the mountains, where frost is expected to form overnight and very early morning.

Very cold weekend ahead

High pressure is expected to remain in the area with Saturday skies being mostly clear but chances of strong winds, occasional cloud covers, and local light rain will also remain in the picture.

Saturday temperatures will start to drop noticeably while Sunday is expected to be one of the coldest days this year, with weekend temperatures reaching well below the normal averages.

The last snow measurement at Troodos Square was 20 inches, as recorded at 5am on Friday.