CYPRUS SET TO ENDURE DRY WINTER!

From incyprus - local news 12/12/2016

Although rain and even isolated storms have been forecast for the first part of this week, a three-month forecast shows that the wet weather will be short-lived.

According to the Meteorological Service forecast for the day, isolated showers are expected around Cyprus on Monday afternoon, with isolated storms predicted for the night. Temperatures inland and on the east and west coasts will reach 19 °C, with a slightly warmer 20 °C anticipated on the north and south coasts and a chillier 9 °C in the mountains.

More of the same is anticipated for Tuesday and Wednesday.

The forecasts for the coming months, however, are not expected to bode well for Cyprus’ dams with the winter weather expected to remain generally mild and mostly dry.

Covering December, January and February, the most recent official three-month forecast, meanwhile, predicts between 50% and 75% less rainfall than usual. The only exception is expected to be the west coast where the amount of rain is anticipated to be near the usual average for this time of year.

It also forecasts that temperatures will remain slightly above normal for the season.

On a month-by-month basis, the forecast predicts December temperatures remaining slightly above normal and what is described as disappointing amounts of rain.  January’s temperatures will be a degree or two above the usual average with no more than 75% of the usual rainfall for the month anticipated.

February will also be warmer than usual. Rainfall will not surpass 75% of usual on most of the island and an even more worrying no more than 50% along the south-east coasts.

According to the most recent official figures available, those for December 9, Cyprus’ dams and reservoirs were at only 18.8% of their capacity, compared to 37.8% on the same date in 2015.

Cyprus has for months now been depending on expensive desalination to prevent water cuts.