The Department of Meteorology has issued a yellow weather warning for severe thunderstorms, hail and strengthening winds on Thursday, valid from 11:00 to 18:00.
Isolated intense storms are expected to affect the island during the warning period, with rainfall rates of between 35 and 55 millimetres per hour forecast. Hail is expected during thunderstorms, and winds will be variable and gusty.
A low-pressure system centred over northern Egypt is currently influencing the island. A further weather disturbance moving in from the west is expected to affect the region from Friday, bringing elevated dust concentrations in the atmosphere through to Friday evening.
Wednesday night will be mainly overcast with localised rain and possible thunderstorms. Winds will be predominantly north-easterly, light to moderate at force 3 to 4 Beaufort, with occasional gusts of up to force 5 along the coast. Seas will be rough. Overnight temperatures will drop to 11°C inland, around 14°C on the coast, and 6°C at the highest mountain elevations.
Thursday will see patchy cloud with localised rain and isolated thunderstorms, with hail possible during storms. Winds will shift between north-easterly to south-easterly and later north-westerly to north-easterly, light to moderate at force 3 to 4, with temporary coastal gusts to force 5 and the possibility of stronger squalls within storms. Temperatures will reach around 19°C inland and on the coast, and 10°C at the highest elevations.
Thursday night will bring locally increased cloud cover with isolated showers, mainly in the west, north and mountain areas. Winds will be predominantly south-westerly to north-westerly, light to moderate at force 3 to 4, locally up to force 5 in the west. Seas will be slight to moderate.
Rain, isolated thunderstorms and possible hail are forecast to continue intermittently through Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Snow or sleet is expected on the highest Troodos peaks. Temperatures will remain near current levels on Friday before dipping slightly below seasonal averages on Saturday and Sunday.
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