Cyprus to wilt under hotter summer
Cyprus will be hotter this summer than last year, as the weather models predict that maximum temperatures in parts of the island could reach up to 5 degrees Celsius above seasonal averages.
According to data released by the Meteorological Service, Cyprus is already feeling higher than usual temperatures, with the western side of the island receiving the brunt of the heat due to global warming.
And the world is likely to break a key temperature limit for the first time over the next few years, scientists predict.
Researchers say there’s now a 66% chance we will pass the 1.5C global warming threshold between now and 2027.
The chances are rising due to emissions from human activities and a likely El Niño weather pattern later this year.
The Met Office said that Limassol and Paphos districts are expected to get an early taste of the summer heat, as temperatures will be 2 degrees Celsius higher than the seasonal average of 24.5C for the western coast.
Temperatures in the rest of the island are expected to hover around the average for the season.
The average daily minimum and maximum temperature per region for May is:
Northern coast: 14.3°C – 25.8°C
Western coast: 14.7 °C – 24.5 °C
Mountain areas: 10.8 °C – 20.4 °C
Inland: 14.8 °C – 29.6 °C
Southern coast: 15.7 °C – 26.4 °C
Eastern coast: 14.9 °C – 27.4 °C
The met office said June is expected to be warmer than last year as temperatures rise above average.
Temperatures will be pushed up by a high weather pressure system moving in from the Balkans and Turkey.
The average daily minimum and maximum temperature per region for the month of June are:
Northern coast: 18.5°C – 30.3°C
Western coast: 18 °C – 27.6 °C
Mountain areas: 15 °C – 25 °C
Inland: 19 °C – 34 °C
Southern coast: 19.4 °C – 26.4 °C
Eastern coast: 18.9 °C – 27.4 °C
July is expected to be a scorcher as temperatures in the west are expected to be 3°C to 5°C higher than average.
The average daily minimum and maximum temperature per region for July are:
Northern coast: 21°C – 33.4°C
Western coast: 20.6 °C – 29.9 °C
Mountain area: 18.2 °C – 27.9 °C
Inland: 22.1 °C – 37.1 °C
Southern coast: 22 °C – 32.5 °C
Eastern coast: 21.8 °C – 33.2 °C
The Met Office reminded the public that although rain activity is minimum during the summer months, this period is also characterised by short-lived storm activity due to thermal instability, usually in the afternoon.
The phenomenon was observed during the first days of May when intense storms were followed by hail that reached the size of golf balls.
In comments to the news site Philenews, the head of the Met Office, Kleanthis Nicolaides, said that last year’s summer was milder than previous years, although longer than usual.
“The summer of 2022 was long and warm, and we did not see temperatures climb above 41C.”
He said it would not be surprising to see maximum temperatures breach 42C this summer.