Rare tornado touches down in Nicosia

In a rare weather event, a tornado touched down in the Nicosia province, specifically in the Mammari area, as confirmed by several citizen videos posted on the "Kairophiles Cyprus" page. This unusual occurrence came as the Cyprus Meteorological Service had issued a yellow warning for severe thunderstorms earlier in the day.

A tornado, a rare phenomenon in Cyprus, involves an updraft rotating around itself, creating a swirling vortex that drags wind upward from the lower atmosphere. While often a dust devil blowing up dust and leaves, tornadoes associated with storm clouds are much stronger and larger, potentially causing significant damage.

"For a tornado to form, there must be significant vertical wind variation in the lower atmosphere and strong updrafts," explained a representative from the Cyprus Meteorological Service. "When these conditions are met, the rotating column of wind is driven into the cloud, creating a low-pressure center that enhances wind speed and updrafts, leading to the formation of a tornado."

Forecasting tornadoes remains challenging due to the specific conditions required for their formation and intensification. Although meteorologists can predict favorable upper atmosphere conditions, predicting ground conditions that support tornado formation is more difficult.

Residents of Mammari were quick to capture and share footage of the tornado, which, according to local reports, caused minimal damage but created a spectacle in the region. The Cyprus Meteorological Service continues to monitor weather conditions closely, urging citizens to stay alert during the severe thunderstorm warning period.