Cyprus is experiencing its hottest days of the summer so far with the first orange warning for extreme heat issued this year in effect from 1200 until 1700 local time on Wednesday and due to be repeated on Thursday, while the risk of forest fires remains at “red alert” level, according to the Department of Forests.
Meteorological Officer Andreas Chrysanthou told CNA that temperatures are expected to reach 43 degrees Celsius inland on both Wednesday and Thursday. “Wednesday and Thursday are the hottest days of the summer so far,” he said.
Temperatures along the coast are expected to range between 33 and 36 degrees Celsius, while high humidity levels will increase discomfort, Chrysanthou said.
Temperatures are expected to ease on Friday, followed by a more noticeable drop over the weekend, when they will be 4-5 degrees Celsius lower than current levels, he said. “We will get at least temporary relief from these conditions from Friday onwards.”
The orange warning is in effect from 1200 until 1700 local time, when the public is advised to take precautions against the extreme heat, he said, adding that temperatures are expected to peak between 1400 and 1500 local time.
Temperatures are expected to remain at around weekend levels on Monday before rising again from next Tuesday, Chrysanthou added.