The heatwave affecting Western and Central Europe is helping keep temperatures in Cyprus close to normal for the season, while only a temporary rise is expected on Sunday and Monday, ‘but nothing extreme,’ Meteorological Service Officer Andreas Chrysanthou told CNA on Wednesday.
Chrysanthou said Western Europe is experiencing very high temperatures, mainly in Spain and France, while temperatures are also expected to be well above normal in areas such as the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and southern England.
He said the heat surge is moving in from the south, with warm air masses mainly from Africa being trapped near the surface due to prolonged high pressure over Western Europe.
The Meteorological Service official noted that the very high temperatures in Western and Central Europe are expected to last at least until Saturday, while the pattern appears likely to start weakening from the weekend onwards.
As regards Cyprus, he said the phenomenon is not affecting the island to the same extent. On the contrary, he added, the situation in Western Europe is favouring the development of a trough of low pressure from the north over Cyprus, bringing cooler air masses to the island.
‘We will have a temporary rise lasting one to two days, but nothing extreme in our area for the time being,’ he said, adding that Cyprus remains under conditions close to normal levels.
Chrysanthou also said the trough of low pressure may bring rain to Cyprus’ mountainous areas from Friday to Sunday.
Asked about the possibility of thunderstorms, he said the combination of low pressure, high temperatures and increased humidity can create atmospheric instability and favour summer showers or thunderstorms.
On whether the heatwave is linked to El Nino, Chrysanthou said there is no direct connection. He explained that the phenomenon currently being recorded in Europe is linked to the pressure pattern over the Atlantic Ocean, while the effects of El Nino on Europe are not immediate and may appear over time.
He added that similar episodes may recur during the summer, recalling that a heat dome phenomenon was recorded in Western and Central Europe in August 2025.