Newsroom
If you’ve survived this week without melting into the pavement, congratulations. You’ve made it to mid-August in Cyprus, the day when churches are full, villages are bustling with feasts, and the rest of us are wondering if it’s socially acceptable to nap for the next twelve hours.
Today is the Feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, one of the biggest holidays on the island. Whether you’re heading to liturgy, visiting family in the village, or just trying to find a patch of shade that isn’t already claimed by a cat, there’s some good news on the weather front: the punishing heatwave is packing its bags tonight.
From Friday night into Saturday, temperatures will finally drop back toward something that feels human, with seasonal averages returning early next week. Strong afternoon winds are rolling in today, particularly in the south and southeast, so if you’re at the beach, keep an eye on your sunhat unless you want to watch it cartwheel toward Lebanon.
Humidity will creep back in this evening, along with some low clouds (especially in the west), which might make for moody sunset photos, perfect for those of you who want your Instagram to say “romantic Mediterranean summer” rather than “sweaty survival story.”
Today’s highs:
- Nicosia: ~39°C (aka “find the nearest watermelon, now”)
- Southern & Eastern coasts: ~39–41°C
- Western & Northern coasts: ~33–35°C
- Troodos (1900m): ~28°C (basically sweater weather compared to the rest of us)
The weekend forecast:
Saturday: Cooler, sunnier, but still breezy. Nicosia drops to ~36°C, coastal areas ~31–34°C, Troodos ~24°C.
Sunday & Monday: Pretty much the same story; clear skies after morning clouds, mild mountain breezes, and no rain. Temperatures holding steady at ~36°C inland, ~30–34°C on the coast.
Winds: Expect gusty afternoons, 5–6 Beaufort in some southern coastal spots, so if your village lunch involves paper plates, be strategic.
Local wisdom for today:
If the Virgin Mary is taking her heavenly rest, maybe we should all take the hint. Eat, celebrate, and then claim a hammock or a couch for your own Dormition-style afternoon siesta. After all, it’s a public holiday. The only thing you should be breaking a sweat over is whether to have your loukoumades with cinnamon or honey.
