Storms batters Cyprus with snow possible

It's a wet and rainy Christmas in Cyprus today as storms affect many areas of the island.

Cyprus authorities are advising drivers to exercise the utmost caution on all main roads and motorways across Cyprus, as visibility is significantly limited in many areas due to heavy rainfall and hail.

Police have issued a statement saying that showers are intensifying and everyone travelling for the day should drive at even lower speeds, maintaining a safe distance.

Conditions are particularly challenging on the motorways and patrols are set to increase, with the fire service also on the alert for flooding.

Snowfalls are possible later in the day.

All services will be issuing updates as weather conditions change.

A yellow warning is in place until tomorrow noon as a seasonal storm that has made its way from the south Aegean sea, is starting to affect the country.

What has been dubbed the ‘Elena’ weather depression will cause heavy showers or storms mainly in western and southern areas, as well as the mountains, but later in the day the phenomenon will give rise to storms across most of the island.

According to the Department of Meteorology warning, up to 55 millimetres of rain is expected to fall in Cyprus over the next 24 hours and until midday Boxing Day.

Hail is possible in the areas of the storms, with snow or sleet expected over the highest reaches of the Troodos mountains.

Winds will be southeasterly to southwesterly, moderate to strong force four to five and in western and northern coastal regions, very strong force five to six, over moderate to rough seas.

Temperatures will rise to 17 degrees Celsius inland, 21 in southern and eastern coastal regions, 20 in the rest of the coastal areas and 7 on the mountains.

Local showers and isolated storms will continue this evening, with the possibility of hail and snow over the mountains. Light to moderate variable winds are forecast, later turning strong force four to five, over moderate seas.

Temperatures will drop to 6 degrees Celsius inland, 10 in coastal regions and 1 on the highest reaches of Troodos, as well as semi-mountainous areas where frost is expected to form.

On Boxing Day and Friday, a pattern of heavy showers will continue, with hail in the areas of the storms and snowfalls on Troodos. Conditions improve somewhat as of Friday evening albeit short-lived, as the weekend will see isolated showers and the possibility of storms.

Temperatures will drop below the seasonal average during the week.