Yellow Alert as Cyprus Hits 40C with Isolated Showers Possible

Heat warning and today's forecast

Cyprus is under a yellow warning from 13:00 until 16:00 this afternoon as inland temperatures climb to around 40C. Coastal areas will be cooler, with 32C expected in the west, 34C along other shores and 30C in the highest mountains. Early low cloud, thin fog and mist will clear to give mostly sunny conditions, but cloud developing after noon may produce isolated showers, mainly over the mountains and interior. Winds will start light and variable at 3 Beaufort, later becoming southwest to northwest at 3 to 4 Beaufort, and locally 4 to 5 Beaufort along southern coasts in the afternoon; the sea will be calm to slightly rough.

Tonight and Friday outlook

Overnight, skies will remain mostly clear apart from spells of low cloud near the coast. During the early hours, patchy fog or mist may form in the southeast and inland. Temperatures will fall to 21C inland, 23C on the coast and 20C in the highest mountains, while winds ease to light southwest to northwest at 3 Beaufort. The sea will stay calm to slightly rough. On Friday, conditions are expected to be largely clear, though afternoon cloud over the mountains could bring isolated showers. Temperatures will remain above the seasonal average, with no significant change.

Weekend disturbance

A change arrives on Saturday as a disturbance from the north affects the island. The day will be mostly cloudy with local rain and isolated thunderstorms, and some areas may see intense or prolonged downpours. Temperatures will drop noticeably to below normal for the time of year. Sunday will start mainly clear, but afternoon cloud is likely to bring isolated showers, especially to the mountains, interior and southern areas, along with a small rise in temperature.

Seasonal low pressure over the region is keeping the current warm spell in place before Saturday's cooler, wetter pattern takes over.