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The steep temperatures being recorded in Cyprus have broken October heat records, head of the meteorology service Kleanthis Nicolaides told Kathimerini Cyprus on Thursday.
The Athalassa station in Nicosia recorded a high of 38C on Wednesday, a temperature that the station hasn’t seen in the month of October since 1992. On Tuesday, the station’s October record was broken as temperatures reached 39.5C.
The Athalassa station’s October record was surpassed only once before, and specifically in October 1943, when a station opposite the finance ministry recorded temperatures of 40.6C on October 2 and 3.
According to Nicolaides, “it’s not at all common for the period to have such high temperatures in October”. While climate change is an important factor contributing to higher temperatures, Nicolaides said they are also the result of a high pressure system over the eastern Mediterranean system.
Thursday’s weather forecast showed temperatures are expected to remain at around 38C inland, 33C at coastal regions and 29C at mountain regions until Saturday, when temperatures are expected to show a slight drop, but will remain above the period’s average levels.
High dust levels tormenting the island
Air quality readings on Thursday showed high concentrations of dust in the Cyprus atmosphere, that are set to remain until Friday, with vulnerable groups of the population urged to remain indoors and employers urged to ensure that that their employees are adequately protected.
According to 1pm air quality readings, PM10 levels (particulate matter of a diameter smaller than 10 μm) in Nicosia were 72 μg/m3, 76 μg/m3 in Limassol, 85.9 μg/m3 in Paphos, 32.7 μg/m3 in Paralimni, 55.7 μg/m3 in Zygi, and 72.9 μg/m3 in Ayia Marina Xyliatou
According to the relevant legislation, safe PM10 concentration levels are capped at 50 μg/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter).
