The Cyprus Meteorological Department has issued a formal yellow weather warning as the island braces for the arrival of Storm Adel, a potent weather system expected to deliver a tumultuous period of severe thunderstorms, torrential rain, and a sharp, unseasonal drop in temperatures. The advisory, active from Saturday night through Sunday afternoon, urges residents and visitors to exercise heightened caution, with officials explicitly warning of significant flooding risks and isolated hailstorms. The impending severe conditions have cast a pall over outdoor festivities, prompting authorities to advise against non-essential travel.
Meteorologists trace the origin of this disruptive weather to a deep low-pressure system, designated Storm Adel, which previously wrought havoc across southern Italy and western Greece. Before setting its course toward the eastern Mediterranean, the storm system triggered a red-level alert in parts of Greece, resulting in widespread flooding, substantial material damage, and the preemptive closure of educational institutions. Its trajectory suggests a similar, though potentially less severe, impact on Cyprus, with the combination of the storm and an accompanying cold air mass creating the volatile conditions.
According to the detailed forecast, the western and northern regions of the island are anticipated to bear the initial brunt of the storm beginning late Friday and into Saturday morning. The situation is projected to intensify, with the most severe weather occurring during the official warning period. Precipitation rates are forecast to reach between 35 and 55 millimetres per hour, a intensity that rapidly overwhelms drainage systems and elevates the risk of flash flooding in vulnerable areas. Isolated but powerful hailstorms are also considered highly probable, particularly along the northern and eastern coastlines. Meanwhile, the highest elevations of the Troodos range could even witness sleet or graupel.
Andreas Chrysanthous, an officer with the Meteorology Department, provided clear guidance to the public. "We are asking the public to remain vigilant and to avoid unnecessary journeys, as the possibility of flooding and hail is high," he stated. Elaborating on the potential dangers, Chrysanthous added, "While a yellow warning is not a cause for alarm, sudden weather changes may ‘leave residents exposed to dangers’." These abrupt shifts could include rapidly rising water levels on roadways and reduced visibility from intense downpours.
The storm's impact will extend beyond precipitation, with a marked meteorological shift. Winds are expected to become variable and strengthen, reaching force 4 to 5 across the island and gusting to a robust 6 or 7 Beaufort in exposed, windward areas. A conspicuous plunge in temperatures will accompany the deluge, with daytime highs expected to struggle around 18 degrees Celsius in affected regions. Night-time will bring a distinct chill, with lows of 11 degrees inland, 14 degrees along the coasts, and a brisk 8 degrees in the mountainous districts.
The advisory carries specific implications for travelers and those planning to visit seasonal attractions like Christmas villages, urging them to remain alert to changing conditions and to steer clear of isolated or fog-prone areas. Although a reprieve is on the horizon, the unstable weather is forecast to persist into Monday, with showers continuing at intervals across the country. Authorities anticipate a return to clearer, more settled skies only by Tuesday, concluding a volatile and potentially hazardous 48-hour period for the island nation.