The Cyprus Meteorological Service have issued an orange Extreme High Temperature Warning. The warning is in place from 12pm until 5pm on Saturday 15th July.
The maximum temperature is expected to rise to around 44 degrees Celsius over inland areas and to around 33 degrees over the higher mountainous areas.
The Risk Of Forest Fires Remains At The “Red Alert” Level
The Department of Forestry informs the public that tomorrow, Saturday, July 15, 2023, the risk of outbreaks and spread of forest fires will remain at the “Red Alert” level.
It is emphasized that lighting a fire without a permit is prohibited and that it constitutes an offence, which according to the Forestry Law of 2012, is punishable by imprisonment of up to 10 years or a fine of up to €50,000.00 or both penalties together and according to the Prevention Fires in the Countryside Law of 1988 up to 5 years or a fine of up to €20,000 or both penalties together.
Lighting a fire for food preparation is only allowed in the grills of the picnic areas.
It also strongly appeals to the public to be especially careful during their outings, completely avoiding actions and activities that are likely to cause a fire, such as the use of tools or agricultural machinery that produce heat, sparks or flame, such as emery, oxygen welding and electric welding .
Finally, in case someone notices smoke or fire, they are asked to call 1407 (Forestry Department) or 112 (Fire Service) immediately.
Hazardous weather conditions: “Cleon” heat wave
According to the EMMA warning issued by the Department of Meteorology, for the high temperature conditions expected to affect Cyprus from Thursday, July 13, the maximum temperature is expected to reach and/or exceed 40οC mainly in inland areas and 32οC over the highest mountainous areas. Its maximum values are expected – at least with the available forecast data so far – for Friday and Saturday, July 14 and 15, respectively, to reach 42οC or even 43οC in inland areas, while over the highest mountainous areas to range around 34-36οC. The minimum temperatures will also be noticeably higher than normal.
The extended high-pressure system covering the coasts of Africa as well as the Western and Central Mediterranean which is accompanied by very warm and relatively dry air masses, is expanding further east and will be affecting Cyprus until next Monday.
The heat wave, which is part of the Dangerous Weather Phenomena, was given the name “Cleon”, on the context of the tripartite cooperation between Greece, Cyprus and Israel. The heat wave was named not only for its expected intensity in relation to the very high temperatures (both the maximum and the minimum temperatures) but also for its duration.
There will be continuous monitoring of the evolution of the phenomenon, with continuous updating and corresponding grading of the warning in question, by the Sector of Synoptic and Aeronautical Meteorology of the Department, while these warnings will be immediately available to the general public, both through the Department’s website, as well as through Twitter.
