The coldest night of this winter has been recorded in Cyprus.
According to the Kitasweather weather service, the sharp drop in temperatures was due to a combination of clear skies and weakening winds, which led to a pronounced temperature inversion. The cooling became especially noticeable in the lowland and coastal areas of the island.
According to official data from the Department of Meteorology, the minimum temperature at the Atlassa weather station dropped to 0.8°C, close to zero. This is one of the lowest indicators of the current winter season. Such values are considered atypical for the Cypriot climate and attract increased attention from specialists.
The cooling affected not only the interior of the island, but also the coastal areas. In localities such as Zygi, Larnaca, Aradippou and Xylophagou, temperatures dropped to 3°C at night. For the coastal regions of Cyprus, such figures are considered unusually low, since the sea usually moderates temperature fluctuations.
Meteorologists explain the situation by a rare combination of atmospheric factors. The absence of clouds contributed to the rapid cooling of the earth's surface, and the weak wind did not allow warm air masses to mix with cold ones. As a result, a so-called temperature trap has formed in the lowlands and coastal areas.
Experts note that similar weather conditions are more often observed in the mountainous regions of Troodos, but this time the cold air “descended” much lower. This is due to a stable anticyclone that established itself over the region and led to night-time cooling of the surface.
Such weather events can have an impact not only on people's well-being, but also on agriculture, especially cold-sensitive crops. Farmers have already been warned about possible frosts at night, and residents are advised to be careful when using heating appliances.
According to preliminary forecasts, night temperatures will remain lower in the coming days, although severe frosts are not expected. During the day the air will warm up, but the contrast between daytime and nighttime indicators will remain. Experts advise taking weather conditions into account when planning trips and leaving the house in the morning.
Despite the mild climate of Cyprus, such weather episodes remind us that winter on the island can bring surprises. Meteorologists continue to monitor the situation and do not rule out a recurrence of cold nights in the near future, especially if the weather remains clear and calm.
Source: in-cyprus.philenews.com
