Cyprus braces for hotter, drier summer compared to last year

This summer is expected to be hotter compared to last year’s, according to data from the Cyprus Department of Meteorology.

Although it's still mid-May, it is predicted that this month will be 1 to 2 degrees Celsius (°C) hotter than usual in the western half of the island, while temperatures in the eastern half are expected to be close to the average for the time of year, rising to around 27.4°C.

The prediction for the average daily minimum and maximum temperatures per region for May is:

Northern coastal areas: 14.3°C – 25.8°C

Western coastal areas: 14.7°C – 24.5°C

Southern coastal areas: 15.7°C – 26.4°C

Eastern coastal areas: 14.9°C – 27.4°C

Mountains: 10.8°C – 20.4°C

Inland: 14.8°C – 29.6°C

In June, temperatures are expected to be close to the average for the time of the season. However, there is a possibility that heat waves coming from the Balkans and Turkey will push temperatures higher.

The prediction for the average daily minimum and maximum temperatures for June is:

Northern coastal areas: 18.5°C – 30.3°C

Western coastal areas: 18°C – 27.6°C

Southern coastal areas: 19.4°C – 26.4°C

Eastern coastal areas: 18.9°C – 27.4°C

Mountains: 15°C – 25°C

Inland: 19.1°C – 34°C

The temperature in July is expected to be at average levels, however, locally there could be variations of 3°C – 5°C higher than average.

The prediction for the average daily minimum and maximum temperatures for July is:

Northern coastal areas: 21.1°C – 33.4°C

Western coastal areas: 20.6°C – 29.9°C

Southern coastal areas: 22°C – 32.5°C

Eastern coastal areas: 21.8°C – 33.2°C

Mountains: 18.2°C – 27.9°C

Inland: 22.1°C – 37.1°C

Last summer was mild

Last summer was relatively mild, Department of Meteorology director Kleanthis Nicolaides said. He noted that temperatures last summer did not exceed 41°C as in past years, and did not rule out the possibility that this year we will observe heat spikes of more than 42°C.

Nicolaides added that in the next three days (May 18-20) temperatures will drop, while rain and isolated thunderstorms are possible in the mountains and inland areas.

Climate change trend

Southern Europe is not alone in suffering severe water shortages this year. The Horn of Africa is enduring its worst drought in decades, while a historic drought in Argentina has hammered soy and corn crops.

More frequent and severe drought in the Mediterranean region – where the average temperature is now 1.5C higher than 150 years ago – is in line with how scientists have forecast climate change will impact the region.

“In terms of the climate change signal, it very much fits with what we’re expecting,” said Hayley Fowler, Professor of Climate Change Impacts at Newcastle University.

Despite these long-held forecasts, preparation is lagging. Many farming regions have yet to adopt water-saving methods like precision irrigation or switch to more drought-hardy crops, such as sunflowers.