**Met Office Predicts Hot and Dry Summer Ahead for Cyprus**
The Cyprus Meteorological Office has forecasted a hot and dry summer for the island, with the possibility of summer thunderstorms, particularly in mountainous regions. This information was shared by Met Office spokesman Andreas Chrysanthou during a press briefing on Saturday.
Chrysanthou noted that while summer thunderstorms are anticipated, they are not expected to be linked to climate change. He emphasized that such thunderstorms are a common occurrence in Cyprus, especially in the higher mountainous areas. According to studies conducted by the meteorological department, weather instability is a typical phenomenon for the region, particularly in the mountains and inland areas, where it may persist until mid-July. The hottest period of the summer is projected to occur from mid-July to mid-August.
As June comes to a close, the island has experienced a relatively cool start to the month, with temperatures expected to rise sharply towards the end. Chrysanthou indicated that average temperatures inland could reach around 37 degrees Celsius, which is slightly above the seasonal average of 33 to 34 degrees Celsius. "We’re 2–4 degrees above average in some cases. Nothing extreme," he remarked, reflecting on the transition from a cool June, which included numerous summer showers in mountainous regions.
The spokesman also highlighted that this year's hydrological conditions have been favorable, describing it as a "very good year" since December 2022. The increased soil moisture levels are crucial for mitigating the risk of forest fires, as the recent rainfall acts as a deterrent to both the outbreak and spread of wildfires.
Looking ahead, Chrysanthou warned that the expected dry and hot summer would see temperatures surpassing 40 degrees Celsius, particularly in inland areas, consistent with trends observed in previous years. "There are no indications that things will be any different," he stated.
For the immediate weekend weather forecast, Chrysanthou mentioned that temperatures are anticipated to rise, with rain expected in mountainous and some inland areas on Saturday. Unstable weather conditions may continue through Wednesday, with the possibility of thunderstorms in certain inland regions, especially on Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday. Following this period, the weather is expected to clear up from Wednesday onward.
As residents and visitors prepare for the summer months, the Met Office's predictions serve as a reminder of the climatic patterns typical for Cyprus, emphasizing the need for awareness regarding potential weather fluctuations and their implications.