Cyprus is currently preparing for a considerable shift in its weather patterns, beginning on Saturday. A potent combination of rain and snow is anticipated to affect the island, accompanied by a substantial and prolonged decrease in temperatures. The Department of Meteorology has issued a serious warning, indicating that Monday is expected to be the coldest day of the current winter season. This noticeable dip in temperatures is projected to continue for several days.
According to meteorological officer Panagiotis Lingis, this atmospheric transition is caused by several factors. A significantly colder air mass is moving into the region, while a low-pressure system is also approaching. This meteorological convergence will undoubtedly bring a period of unsettled weather across various locations. These conditions will impact areas from the rugged Troodos mountains down to the coastal regions and inland plains.
The change will commence subtly on Saturday, with predominantly overcast skies and intermittent rainfall after midday. The possibility of brief, isolated thunderstorms has also been highlighted. As the day progresses, sleet or snow is expected to appear in the higher elevations of the Troodos mountains. These precipitation events are forecast to start gradually in the mountainous and western parts of the island. Isolated showers could also develop in these same areas and the western half of Cyprus during the evening. The intensity and geographical spread are predicted to increase significantly from Saturday night into Sunday morning, bringing more widespread rain.
Sunday is expected to experience continued widespread rain, with snow or sleet anticipated in the higher mountainous areas. Scattered showers might occur in the southwestern parts of the island, and the snow cover in the mountains is likely to remain. The forecast for Monday suggests the cold spell will persist, with isolated instances of rain and mountain snow. Importantly, temperatures are predicted to stay below seasonal averages for an extended period, only beginning a modest increase on Tuesday.
The effects of this weather system will be clearly felt across the island. A marked decrease in ambient temperatures is certain, with interior lows potentially dropping to around 10°C on Monday morning. Temperatures in the mountains could fall below freezing, and frost formation is a distinct possibility at higher altitudes. In fact, temperatures are expected to decline by approximately 5°C from current levels, a significant deviation from the typical seasonal average of around 16°C for this time of year. The current snow depth at Chionistra is 28 centimetres, a figure that could increase with the anticipated snowfall.
Winds are expected to be initially light and variable, around 3 Beaufort. By late Saturday afternoon, they are predicted to shift to a predominantly north-easterly direction, settling at a light to moderate strength of 3-4 Beaufort. Throughout the weekend and into Monday, winds should remain relatively light, coming from the northwest to northeast. Sea conditions are anticipated to be calm to slightly choppy, posing little concern for maritime activities.
Although the weather is expected to begin its gradual improvement after midday on Sunday, the lingering chill and the prospect of Monday being the coldest day of the winter serve as a potent reminder of nature's unpredictable power. Residents are strongly advised to monitor the latest meteorological updates as the island navigates this significant weather event.