Heavy rain hits parts of Cyprus under yellow storm warning

Heavy rain was falling in several parts of Cyprus at midday on Wednesday, with a yellow warning for severe thunderstorms in force from 12pm to 6pm. The warning says isolated severe thunderstorms are expected in the north, the mountains and inland areas, and may change in character and intensify. Rainfall is expected to reach between 35 and 45 millimetres an hour in places. Low pressure and unstable conditions are affecting the region. Until Thursday, winds will stay mainly south-westerly to north-westerly, but in thunderstorms they may briefly shift and strengthen to 5 to 6 Beaufort, with stronger gusts. The sea will be slightly rough, and calm to slightly rough in sheltered areas. Wednesday afternoon – Clouds building in the afternoon are expected to bring local rain and isolated thunderstorms, mainly in the mountains, inland and on the north coast. – Hail may fall in thunderstorms. – Winds light to moderate, 3 to 4 Beaufort. Tonight – Partly cloudy, with isolated rain or thunderstorms expected on the coasts and possibly in the western mountains. – Winds light, and moderate in places on the coasts, 3 to 4 Beaufort. – Temperatures dropping to around 16 degrees Celsius inland, around 19 degrees on the coasts and around 9 degrees in the higher mountains. Thursday – Isolated showers or a thunderstorm expected on the coasts in the morning. – From midday, local rain and isolated thunderstorms expected, mainly in the mountains, inland and on the north and west coasts, with hail possible in thunderstorms. – Winds light to moderate, 3 to 4 Beaufort, picking up to 5 Beaufort on the south coast in the afternoon. – Temperatures rising to around 27 degrees inland and on the south and east coasts, around 26 degrees on the other coasts and around 16 degrees in the higher mountains. Friday to Sunday – Local rain and isolated thunderstorms expected at times, mainly on the coasts and in the mountains in the mornings and at night, and also inland at other times of the day. – Hail expected in thunderstorms. – Temperatures showing no significant change and staying below normal for the time of year.