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General weather conditions: In
December, the weather was extremely warm and extremely dry. Unstable weather
conditions prevailed during the period 6th-12th, on the 16th and 20th-23rd of
the month, giving rain, local thunderstorms, hail and some snow in Troodos.
The mean air temperature was about 3.0oC above normal and the area
average precipitation was 50.4mm mm, i.e. 48% of the normal for the month.
Severe weather conditions: No
severe weather events occurred. On the 11th of the month, due to intense
thunderstorms activity, areas of Lefkosia and Larnaka were left without
electricity. Main characteristics of this month were the severe drought and
the high temperatures which affected the whole island. December 2023, with
mean monthly temperature of 14.5oC, is the 2nd warmest December on
record since 1961.
Precipitation (normal period:
1961-1990): According to preliminary estimates, the area average
precipitation in December was 50.4mm, i.e. 48% of normal. Monthly
precipitation was below normal in most areas and generally ranging between
21% (Vavla) and 111% (Tseri) of normal.
Hail was recorded on the 6th
(Avdellero, Oroklini), 8th (Paralimni and Deryneia), 11th (Agros, Cha Potami
and in areas of Pafos), 11th-12th (Stavrovouni), 12th (Alethriko, Psevdas,
Pyrga (Larnakas)), 20th (Troodos) and 21st (Palaichori, Dymes) of the month.
Snow was recorded on the 22nd
of the month (Troodos).
The cumulative area average
precipitation during the period October 2023 – December 2023 was about
133.1mm, i.e. 69% of normal. Generally, the cumulative precipitation was
below normal in most areas, ranging between 35% (Deryneia) and 116% (Tseri)
of normal.
Temperature (normal for the
reference period: 1981-2010): The mean air temperature for the month was
about 2.9oC above normal. Μean daily temperatures were above or
around normal during the whole month, except for the 10th of the month in
Prodromos where it was 2.3oC below normal. The maximum
temperatures in Athalassa exceeded 18oC all days of the month, in
Pafos and Larnaka they exceeded 19oC again all 31 days of the
month, while in Prodromos they exceeded 8oC on 30 occasions. Most
stations recorded their highest maximum temperature during the period 4th-5th
of the month and their lowest minimum temperature during the period 19th-20th
and on the 24th of the month.
Air and ground frosts were not
recorded in any area.
The five-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.
(GS/NZ)
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