Cyprus on high alert for thunderstorms

A yellow warning is in effect, issued shortly after midnight by the meteorology department of Cyprus, for severe thunderstorms expected to occur until 06:00 pm.

According to the warning, isolated thunderstorms are expected to affect initially the west and north and progressively areas in the mountains and the eastern half of the island.

It is also noted that hail is not excluded, while winds are possible to change and strengthen. Rain intensity is expected to range between 35 and 55 mm per hour.

Low pressure center and unstable weather conditions are expected to affect the area transiently. There will be dust in the atmosphere at times which is expected to subside from tomorrow Wednesday.

Today's weather will be partly cloudy and partly cloudy and local showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected initially in the west and north, with progressive local showers and isolated thunderstorms expected in other areas. Hail is likely to occur in thunderstorms. Winds will be variable light, 3 Beaufort, and variable to moderate, 3 to 4 Beaufort. The sea will be choppy to a little rough. Temperatures will rise to around 25 degrees inland, on the west and north coasts, around 26 on the rest of the coast and around 16 degrees in the higher mountains.

Tonight, increasing clouds are expected to bring isolated showers, with the possibility of isolated thunderstorms, mainly in the east and north. Winds will be mainly northwest to northeast light, 3 Beaufort, and occasionally moderate, 3 to 4 Beaufort. The sea will be choppy to a little rough. Temperatures will drop to around 15 degrees inland, around 18 on the south and east coasts, around 17 on the rest of the coast and around 10 degrees in the higher mountains.

On Wednesday, locally increasing clouds are likely to bring isolated rain in the eastern half of the island and later in the highlands.

On Thursday, the weather will initially be mainly clear, with locally increasing clouds in the afternoon and midday likely to bring isolated rain mainly in the mountains and the western half of the island. On Friday, mainly clear weather will alternate with partly cloudy spells with isolated rain.

Temperatures are not expected to show any significant change over the three-day period to be above average climatic values.

[Information sourced from Cyprus Met Service]