It’s hot, but it’s not as bad as Greece

TEMPERATURES are expected to soar in inland areas over the next few days, as the island comes under the influence of a regional high-pressure system.

The current heat wave will see maximum temperatures in the island’s central plain range between 39 and 42C, with high humidity also likely playing a factor in Nicosia, Larnaca and Famagusta.

Coastal regions will be spared from such high temperatures, Meteorological Services said, with temperatures reaching a maximum of 35 or 36C.

The Labour Ministry has announced that no persons should work out of doors between noon and 4pm, unless the work is very light, or plenty of water and shade are provided.

Senior Meteorological officer Loizos Stefanou said that the hot and humid conditions were being caused by a high pressure system currently affecting the central Mediterranean, brought by warm air movements from northern Africa.

He stated that it was difficult to predict for how long the humidity would last, noting: “The pressure system we are currently experiencing is causing more humid conditions than other systems so far.”

He added that though Cyprus’ temperatures were high, the island is on the outskirts of the pressure system and is thus being spared the full brunt of its effects. Greece, the Balkan states and southern Italy are said to be the most severely affected.

“We are faring a little better than these other countries, especially Greece, which will see temperatures rise up to 44C,” said Stefanou.

The island’s Comfort Index, which takes into account air moisture, temperature and wind, has also increased because of the pressure system.

Sea breezes, which are usually felt by 10am, were meanwhile said to be reaching inland areas later in the day than usual, contributing to high temperatures.

“Wind blowing from the east and northeast are preventing the sea breeze from reaching the inland areas at the proper time, causing us to experience high temperatures throughout the day,” said Stefanou.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.