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General weather situation: The weather in February was dry and warm. Unstable weather conditions prevailed during periods 1-5, 9-10, 13-18, 20-21 and 25-26 of the month, which caused rain, localized thunderstorms, hail and snow in the mountains. The average temperature was about 2.1oC above normal for the month, while the average rainfall was 39.2mm or 48% of normal.
Severe weather events. During the period 1-5 of the month, heavy rainfall, strong winds, hail and snow were recorded in Troodos. Frost and snowfall caused problems on the mountain road network. On the 9-10th of the month torrential rain and thunderstorms with heavy hail mainly in Larnaca province were recorded. On the 14th of the month, at dawn, torrential rain, thunderstorms and walnut-sized hail caused damage in Limassol. Again, on the 14th of the month, at dawn, a tornado occurred in Yermasogeia and caused massive damage to homes and businesses, extensive damage to the electricity network of the Cyprus Electricity Authority (CEC), resulting in a power cut in areas such as Yermasogeia, Mouttayaka, Finikaria, Akruda, Ag. Athanasios, Parekklisia and Akrotiri. 20 roads were closed due to falling trees and poles, nurseries and photovoltaic panels were destroyed and a crane at a construction site was overturned. Some families were left homeless due to the damage caused by the tornado (broken windows, doors and roof tiles). Dangerous objects carried away by the tornado temporarily endangered the movement of citizens. One citizen suffered amputation of the fingers of his right hand and underwent surgery after being injured by breaking windows in his home. More than 150 houses and outbuildings have been damaged and several cars have also been damaged by the disaster, most of them in Germasoyia. Huge damage was also caused by the bad weather in the Nicosia district. In the Potami community, torrential rain and hail caused the river to overflow and the adjacent road to flood. A power cut was caused in the area, while muddy water covered the main roads of the village. The rural road network in the Kampou area was completely destroyed, while livestock and agricultural buildings were damaged. Serious problems were also caused in the areas of Astromeritis, Evrychou and Agia Marina Xyliatou. On the 15th heavy rain and hail occurred near Kofinou and on the Nicosia-Larnaca and Nicosia-Lemesos motorway. The heavy rainfall caused flooding on several roads in Larnaca. The Klirou dam overflowed. Torrential rains affected the whole of Cyprus during the period 13-18 of the month, affecting traffic on the Larnaca-Lemesos motorways with limited visibility, water accumulation and local landslides.
Rainfall (normal rainfall reference period: 1961-1990): According to preliminary calculations, the average rainfall for February was 39.2mm or 48% of normal. Monthly rainfall generally ranged between 20% (Strubi, Troodos) and 122% (Kelokudra) of normal.
Snowfall occurred during the period 1-4, 15 and 18 (Troodos) of the month.
Snowfall occurred during the period 1-4, 15 and 18 (Troodos) of the month.
Snowfall occurred during the period 1-4, 15 and 18 (Troodos) of the month.
Hail occurred on the 9th of the month (Palaichori, Troodos, Aletriko, Aradipou, Kiti, Ora, Farmakas, Aletriko, Pervolia and Livadia Larnaca), on the 13th of the month (Gourri) and on the 14th of the month (Avdellero, Aletriko, Mosfiloti, Pyla, Cheri, Paliometocho, Ypsonas, Kato Polemidia, Kolossi, Fasoula, Farmakas, Episkopi Limassol, Tsiriou area).
The total rainfall during the period October 2023-February 2024 was about 280.4mm or 75% of normal. Overall, total rainfall ranged between 56% (Meniko) and 114% (Athienou) of normal.
Temperature (normal temperature reference period: 1981-2010): The average temperature for the month was 2.1oC above normal for the season. Average daily temperatures were below normal on the 1st and 5th of the month, while on the other days they were above or around normal. Maximum temperatures in Athalassa exceeded 16oC on 26 occasions, in Larnaca and Paphos exceeded 17oC on 27 and 28 occasions respectively, while in Prodromos they exceeded 7oC on 26 occasions. Most stations recorded their highest maximum temperature on the 6th, 13th, 25th and 29th of the month and their lowest minimum temperature on the 1st-2nd and 29th of the month.
Air frost occurred in four cases in mountainous areas, while ground frost occurred in six cases in mountainous areas and in two cases in the interior.
The average temperatures recorded in each five-day period in different areas of Cyprus and their deviation from normal are shown in Table 1, while the highest and lowest temperatures are shown in Table 2.
(EAT/MS)
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