Inland temperatures are expected to reach 40°C from Sunday until Wednesday, with the Department of Meteorology leaning towards issuing daily yellow warnings for high temperatures.
Meteorological officer Mattheos Papadakis stated that the mercury will climb to 40°C inland during this four-day period, noting that warnings will be issued based on the prevailing conditions.
He noted that the first yellow warning for high temperatures is expected to be issued on Saturday afternoon. Papadakis added that temperatures are currently around 2°C to 2.5°C higher than normal for the season but clarified that the country is not facing a heatwave, which is measured by combining temperature with humidity and wind levels.
Today, inland temperatures will reach 39°C, dropping to 31°C on the western coast, around 33°C across the remaining coastal areas, and 27°C in the higher mountains. The weather will be generally clear with increased cloud cover over the mountains during the afternoon hours from today until Wednesday, Papadakis said.
Temperatures will rise from tomorrow, he continued, fluctuating around 40°C inland, 35°C on the southern and eastern coasts, 32°C on the western and northern coasts, and around 30°C in the higher mountains. With these temperatures, the department will issue a yellow warning for high temperatures inland, he explained, adding that roughly the same weather conditions will persist on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
When asked about humidity levels, Papadakis said that they remain generally low, except during the night along the coast where thin fog and low clouds are expected to develop.
Responding to a comment that the summer has been manageable and mild so far, the meteorological officer said that temperatures had previously hovered close to seasonal norms, but it appears that the island is now gradually entering a period of higher temperatures.