Cyprus Climate

Climate of Cyprus

Cyprus is located in the subtropical Mediterranean climate zone, except for the northeastern part of the island, which has a semi-arid variety. The island is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild winters. Spring and autumn also tend to be warm and cheerful. Blue skies and abundant sunshine are seen almost year-round.

Summer lasts from May to September - thermometers then usually indicate around 30°C. During the hottest months, it happens that hot desert winds carry additional heat waves that reach 40°C. On the coast, the heat is tempered by sea breezes, while inside the island, on the plains, it is often hot and muggy. In summer, water temperatures exceed 20°C. In the Troodos mountains, the temperature depends on the altitude; it gets cooler (about 22°C) as the altitude increases.

Winter covers the months from November to March. It is a relatively warm but rainy period. Daytime temperatures fluctuate around 13°C - 23°C, while at night they drop to 5°C - 12°C. The average sea temperature is 17°C. The mountainous areas of Troodos are much colder, with thermometers here indicating 0°C - 5°C, and there may also be snowfall and frost.

Spring (April) and autumn (October) are warm months, where the temperature oscillates between 20°C - 25°C, and sunny days are interspersed with fleeting rainfall.

Precipitation in Cyprus varies and varies from region to region. The higher parts of the mountains are wetter than the rest of the island - precipitation in the Troodos massif reaches up to 1,000 mm per year. The coasts and lowlands are drier (from 350 mm - 500 mm), and periodic droughts can also occur here.

Summers are usually rainless on the coast, while the center of the island and the mountains may receive some minor precipitation. In spring and autumn, one can encounter fleeting, not very intense rains, but the greatest intensity is during the winter months. Snowfall is also possible then, but only in the Troodos mountains.