Press Releases

General Weather Conditions: In February the weather was dry and warm. Unstable weather conditions prevailed during the periods 1-5, 9-10, 13-18, 20-21 and 25-26 of the month, giving rain, local thunderstorms, hail and snowfall over mountainous areas. The mean air temperature for the month was about 2.1^oC above normal for the month, while the area average precipitation was 39.2mm, i.e 48% of normal. 

Severe Weather Conditions: Generally heavy rain, hail and strong winds affected the island. During the period 1^st-5th of the month, heavy rain, strong winds, hail and snow were recorded in Troodos. Due to frost and snowfall, problems were caused on the mountain road network. On the 9^th-10th of the month torrential rains and thunderstorms with heavy hail recorded mainly in the province of Larnaka. Early morning, on the 14th of the month, torrential rains, thunderstorms and hailstones the size of walnuts caused damage in Lemesos. In addition, early morning hours, a tornado recorded in Germasogeia, causing enormous damage to houses and properties and extensive damage to the electricity network, resulting in electricity cuts in areas such as Germasogeia, Mouttagiaka, Foinikaria, Akrouda, Agios Athanasios, Parekklisia and Akrotiri. Twenty roads were closed due to falling trees and poles, plant nurseries and photovoltaics were destroyed, while a crane at a construction site was also overturned. Some families were left homeless due to the damage from the tornado (windows, doors were broken, tiles were removed from roofs). Dangerous objects carried by the tornado put the citizens’ transport at risk temporarily. A citizen had his right-hand fingers amputated and underwent surgery after being injured by broken window glasses in his home. More than 150 houses and other premises have been damaged, while several cars have also been destroyed by the bad weather conditions, most of them in Germasogeia. Huge damage was also reported in the Lefkosia district. In Potami village the torrential rains and hail caused an overflow in the river and flooding on the adjacent road. There was a power outage in the area, while the muddy waters covered the main streets of the village. The rural road network in the Kampos area has been completely destroyed, while livestock and agricultural properties were damaged. Serious problems were also caused in Astromeritis, Evrychou and Agia Marina Xyliatou. On the 15th of the month, heavy rain and hail affected Kofinou area and the Lefkosia-Larnaka and Lefkosia-Lemesos highways. The torrential rain caused flooding in several streets and roads in Larnaka. The Klirou dam overflowed. Torrential rains affected the whole Cyprus during the period 13th-18th of the month, causing traffic on the highways of Larnaka and Lemesos due to the limited visibility, high water accumulation and local landslides.

Precipitation (normal period: 1961-1990): According to preliminary estimates the area average precipitation in February was 39.2mm, i.e 48% of normal. Monthly precipitation generally ranged between 20% (Troodos, Stroumpi) to 122% (Kelokedara) of normal. 

Snowfall occurred during the period 1-4, 15 and 18 (Troodos) of the month.

Hail occurred on the 9th of the month (Palaichori, Troodos, Alethriko, Aradippou, Kiti, Ora, Farmakas, Pervolia and Livadia), on the 13^th of the month (Gourri) and on the 14^th of the month (Avdellero, Alethriko, Mosfiloti, Pyla, Tseri, Paliometochos, Ypsonas, Kato Polemidia, Kolossi, Fasoulas, Farmakas, Episkopi Lemesos, Tsireio area).

The cumulative area average precipitation during the period October 2023-February 2024 was about 280.4mm, i.e 75% of normal. Generally, the cumulative precipitation was below normal almost in all areas, ranging from 56% (Meniko) and 114% (Athienou) of normal.  

Temperature (normal period: 1981-2010): The mean air temperature of the month was about 2.1^oC above normal.  Mean daily temperatures were below normal during the 1st and the 5th of the month, while the rest of the days, temperatures were around or above normal. Maximum temperatures exceeded 16°C at Athalassa in 26 occasions, 17°C at Larnaka and Pafos Airports in 27 and 28 occasions respectively. At Prodromos max temperature exceeded 7°C in 26 occasions. Most stations recorded their highest maximum temperature on the 6th, 13th, 25th and 29th of the month and their lowest minimum temperature during the period 1-2 and on the 29th of the month.

Air frost was recorded in four occasions in the mountainous areas. Ground frost was recorded in six occasions in the mountainous areas and two occasions inland. 

The 5-day averages of air temperature and their deviations from normal at various places are shown in Table 1 and the extreme temperatures are shown in Table 2.

(IA/MS)