Mountains under orange warning in Cyprus

An orange alert for the mountains has been issued for Wednesday afternoon, with maximum temperatures climbing inland but also rain chances expected later in the week.

Weather officials issued an orange warning for high elevations effective Wednesday afternoon between 12 noon and 5pm due to extreme high temperatures reaching 34 degrees Celsius high up in the mountains. The normal threshold for yellow alerts in high altitudes is up to 33 degrees.

A yellow warning will also be in effect at the same time in parts of the interior, where high temperatures inland are expected to 41 degrees Celsius (106 Fahrenheit). Temperature highs elsewhere will be 35 south and east while it will be 34 in the north and out west.

Wednesday skies will be mostly clear with temperature lows registering 24 inland, around 25 in coastal regions, and 23 high up in the mountains.

Clear to fair skies, with some cloud formations appearing in the afternoon hours over the mountains, are expected from Thursday through Saturday, when chances of rain and isolated showers are also expected along with a slight drop in temperature.

Overall temperature levels will remain above normal averages throughout the week as well as early weekend.

An orange alert warns people in vulnerable groups that high temperatures could lead to heat illnesses, including heat stroke. The advisory further instructs members of the public to follow the news for any advice from authorities while the warning remains in effect.