After the coldest night of this year’s winter, Saturday’s temperatures will be closer to the seasonal average with a further rise on Sunday.
Overnight temperatures fell to 0 C inland and in the higher Troodos peaks to -7.
Met Office director Kleanthis Nicolaides confirmed that Friday was the coldest night of this winter, although Cyprus has experienced lower temperatures, most recently in January 2015 when temperatures of -2 were recorded in Athalassa and -10 in Prodromos. In 1964, temperatures of -12 were recorded in Prodromos.
Nicolaides added that temperatures in first fortnight of January have been close to or even slightly above the seasonal average, he added.
In its early morning weather bulletin, the Met Office said high pressure is affecting the area and Saturday will be mainly fine. Temperatures will rise to around 16 C inland and on the coast and 4 C in the higher mountains.
Tonight will be mainly fine though locally there will be increased cloud at intervals. Temperatures will fall to 4 C inland, around 6 C on the south and east coasts, around 8 C on the west and north coasts and 1 c in the mountains. There will be frost in the mountains and locally in the semi mountain areas.
Sunday will be mainly fine although at intervals there will be increased cloud.
Monday will be partly cloudy and at intervals cloudy. Tuesday will be partly cloudy and at intervals cloudy with the possibility of isolated showers mostly after midday.
Temperatures will edge up on Sunday to a little above average for the time of year, remaining at the same levels on Monday and Tuesday.
The depth of snow in Troodos Square at the time of issue of the weather bulletin was 78 cm.
Roads
All roads to Troodos from the Limassol district are open only to four wheel drive cars or those equipped with snow chains because of ice.
The same restrictions apply to the following roads:
Prodromos-Troodos, Prodromos-Platres, Prodromos-Lemythou, Pedoulas-Prodromou, Pedoulas-Pinewood, Moutoullas-Gerakies-Kykkos, Moutoulas-Pedoulas Kakopetria-Karvounas, Kakopetria-Spylia, Kakopetria-Pinewood, Pedoulas-Kykkos, Kykkos-Kambos, Kykkos-Stavros tis Psokas and Orkonta-Kambos-Kato Pyrgos.
Road conditions in the mountains are changeable because of the wintry conditions and drivers are urged to stay updated from the police website or app.
