Cyprus braces for storms, hail and heavy rain on Friday
A yellow warning covers mountainous, southern and eastern districts from 1pm to 5pm, with downpours of up to 50mm an hour possible.
Cyprus's meteorological service has issued a yellow alert for scattered thunderstorms on Friday, in force from 1pm until 5pm. The affected zones are the mountain range plus the southern and eastern parts of the island, according to the department.
Downpours could deposit 35-50mm of rain within a single hour, and hail together with powerful wind gusts cannot be ruled out. Unsettled conditions will persist over the weekend, with brighter skies expected on Monday, while daytime readings keep falling until Sunday, when they will sit under the norm for the season.
What it means for residents
The alert lands squarely in the afternoon window, which is when many people are on the road or collecting children. Short, intense bursts of rain are the kind that overwhelm drains and turn dips in the road into ponds, so plan around the worst hours rather than the whole day.
- Driving: if you must travel between 1pm and 5pm, slow down, keep extra distance and steer clear of underpasses and known flood spots.
- At home: secure loose items on balconies and terraces before the gusts arrive, and check that drains and gutters are clear.
- Weekend plans: outdoor activities are best kept flexible, and a warmer layer is worth having as temperatures slide below the seasonal average.
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