Cyprus and the broader Eastern Mediterranean region are facing an unprecedented heatwave, with temperatures soaring to dangerous levels and an elevated risk of wildfires.
A new advisory bulletin from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) warns of significantly higher-than-normal temperatures and prolonged heatwaves across the region until the end of July.
Climate models predict temperature deviations of 3 to 6 degrees Celsius above normal, with the most intense heat affecting Cyprus, Greece, Crete, Rhodes, Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey.
The extreme heat is exacerbated by ongoing drought conditions, creating a heightened risk of wildfires.
The Department explained that persistent high-pressure systems contribute to the heatwave by preventing the formation of cooling winds.
The advisory notes a high probability of heatwaves for the entire month of July. The table below shows the normal maximum and minimum temperature values per five-day period for reference stations of the Department of Meteorology:
The Cypriot Department of Meteorology has warned the public to take precautions against the extreme heat and be vigilant about wildfire risks.
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