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 2.1oC 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 1st-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
9th-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 13th of the month (Gourri) and on
the 14th 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 2.1oC 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)
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