Freezing weather spreads across Cyprus

An extreme cold warning has been issued for Cyprus with temperatures expected to fall down to zero degrees around the capital and around nine below zero up high in the mountains.

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Weather officials issued a yellow warning on Saturday, effective from 11pm through Sunday morning at 8am, citing extreme low temperatures.

Saturday night skies will be mostly clear with increasing clouds on and off, while very strong winds are expected to gradually weaken overnight.

Low temperatures are expected to fall down to zero (0) degrees Celsius around the capital and parts of the interior, around 4 in the east, 3 in all other coastal regions, while it will be minus nine (-9) up high in the mountains.

Sunday weather will be cold and windy with skies ranging from mostly clear to cloudy and chances of light rain in the morning. Weather officials said there are also chances of sleet in the plains as well as light snow expected locally in the mountains and foothill areas.

Temperature highs will reach 8 degrees inland, 11 along the coast, and minus three (-3) up high in the mountains, where frost is expected to form.

Cold weather will continue on Monday while a slight rise in temperature is expected on Tuesday, with officials saying levels will remain below normal averages. Temperatures are expected to climb noticeably on Wednesday and reach normal averages for this time of the year.

The last snow measurement at Troodos Square was 27 inches, as recorded at 4pm on Saturday.