Winds pick up in rainy afternoon

An air mass is forming in low altitudes just north of Cyprus, with strong winds affecting the island along with chances of local showers and isolated thunderstorms.

According to weather officials, Saturday afternoon skies will be partly cloudy and occasionally cloudy, with local showers and isolated thunderstorms expected in many areas.

In the afternoon, heavy southwesterly to westerly winds are expected to reach high speeds up to 7 points on the Beaufort scale. Choppy waters will gradually give way to severe sea turbulence in the north and out west.

Weather conditions are expected to improve later in the evening while winds will remain strong in the west. Snowfall is expected high up in Troodos Mountains where frost is expected to form overnight.

Temperature lows will drop down to 6 degrees Celsius in the interior, around 10 in north and out west,around 9 in all other coastal regions, while it will be around zero (0) high up in the mountains.

Sunday skies will be clear in the early part of the day while scattered clouds are expected in the afternoon over mountain areas. Highs will reach 20 degrees inland and along the southern coastline, around 18 in all other coastal regions, while it will be 10 up in the mountains.

Clear weather is expected Monday and throughout the early part of next week, with temperatures rising slightly on Tuesday and climbing further on Wednesday.

The last snow measurement at Troodos Square was almost 15 inches, as recorded at 11am on Saturday.