Nicosia, Cyprus was hit by an unusually intense spell of summer weather on Saturday, with thunderstorms, heavy rain, hail and strong winds creating dangerous conditions across several parts of the island.

The Cyprus Department of Meteorology issued an orange warning for severe thunderstorms from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Forecasters warned that rainfall intensity could reach 55–70 millimetres per hour, accompanied by hail and temporarily stronger wind gusts.

The weather disturbance affected much of the island, with particularly unsettled conditions reported inland, in mountainous areas, northern districts and parts of the east.

Waterspout Appears Off Larnaca

One of the most striking signs of the unstable atmosphere was a waterspout spotted off the coast of Larnaca shortly after 11 a.m.

The rotating column was visible from nearby coastal communities, including Meneou and Pervolia. Meteorologists warned that additional waterspouts could develop while the unstable weather remained over the region.

Waterspouts form over water when particular combinations of atmospheric instability and rotation occur. Some are relatively weak, but those associated with severe thunderstorms can become dangerous for boats and people near the coast.

Storms Affect Large Parts of Cyprus

The severe weather was not confined to Larnaca.

Meteorological officials said almost the entire island experienced some form of the weather system, with heavy rain reported across inland locations, mountain areas and northern Cyprus. The storm activity was gradually moving eastward during the day.

Some areas experienced intense rainfall and hail, while others were affected primarily by strong winds.

The combination created difficult conditions on roads and increased the risk of localised flooding and landslides.

Temperatures Drop Far Below Normal

The storm system also produced an unusual fall in temperatures.

According to the Cyprus Department of Meteorology, temperatures on Saturday were approximately 10°C below the seasonal average, with readings near 27°C compared with typical late-August levels of around 36–37°C.

The sharp cooling was linked to an organised weather disturbance moving south from northern regions.

Meteorologists expect temperatures to begin recovering from Sunday and move closer to seasonal norms by around Tuesday or Wednesday.

Trees and Infrastructure Damaged

The storm caused physical damage in several parts of the island.

Trees and branches were brought down, roads were affected by accumulated water and debris, and strong winds damaged some greenhouses and photovoltaic installations.

In Kokkinotrimithia, lightning struck a wooden electricity pylon and sparked a fire. Fire crews were dispatched to deal with the incident.

Power interruptions were also reported in parts of Cyprus, with electricity crews working to repair damage to the network.

Roads Become Hazardous

The combination of heavy rain, fallen branches and landslides created dangerous driving conditions.

Police warned motorists about water accumulating on roads and debris falling onto highways. Several mountain routes were also affected by stones and soil following landslides.

A section beneath the Aleppiana bridge near Nicosia was temporarily closed because of accumulated water before being reopened.

Authorities urged drivers to reduce speed and exercise particular caution, especially on mountain roads and during periods of intense rainfall.

Power Network Hit by Lightning

The country’s electricity network also came under pressure.

The Electricity Authority of Cyprus reported outages in parts of Nicosia, Larnaca and Paphos. Lightning was identified as a factor behind some of the disruption, including serious problems reported in the Avgorou area.

Repair teams were mobilised across the island as weather conditions continued to deteriorate.

Officials also warned that safety considerations could slow restoration work while lightning and strong winds remained active.

Emergency Services Respond to Multiple Incidents

Firefighters and other emergency personnel responded to a series of weather-related incidents.

Reports included fallen trees, displaced objects and fires associated with lightning strikes. The fire service was placed on heightened alert as storms moved across different districts.

The rapidly changing weather meant that emergency crews had to remain ready for new incidents while dealing with damage that had already occurred.

Authorities Issue Safety Advice

Cyprus Civil Defence urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel during the worst of the weather.

People were advised to clear drains and gutters, secure loose outdoor objects and avoid basements during intense rainfall. Anyone encountering flooding was instructed to move to higher ground rather than remaining in low-lying areas.

Authorities specifically warned people not to attempt to cross flooded roads, whether on foot, bicycle, motorcycle or in a vehicle.

Residents were also advised to stay away from power lines and locations vulnerable to landslides.

Coastal Areas Face Additional Risks

The appearance of waterspouts added another danger for people near Cyprus’s coastline.

The unstable conditions also produced rough seas and strong winds, creating risks for boats and other vessels.

A separate incident at Konnos Bay near Cape Greco involved several boats being damaged or destroyed by violent weather. At least two people were rescued from the sea, while others were reportedly brought to safety; authorities were continuing a search for people who remained unaccounted for.

Helicopters and emergency crews were involved in the rescue operation.

Weather Expected to Improve

The most severe conditions are expected to ease as the weather system moves away.

From Sunday through Tuesday, Cyprus is forecast to experience generally more settled conditions, although isolated showers or thunderstorms could still develop, particularly over mountainous areas.

Temperatures are expected to rise gradually and return closer to normal levels during the first part of the following week.

An Unusual Summer Weather Event

The severity of Saturday’s conditions is notable because Cyprus normally experiences hot and relatively dry weather during late August.

Instead, the island experienced a combination of thunderstorms, hail, heavy rainfall, strong winds, waterspouts and a sharp temperature decline.

The event demonstrates how quickly weather patterns can change, even during the Mediterranean summer.

What the Storms Mean for Cyprus

The immediate priority for authorities is restoring damaged infrastructure, checking vulnerable areas and ensuring that residents remain safe while the remaining unstable conditions pass.

Emergency crews will continue responding to fallen trees, damaged electricity infrastructure, flooded roads and other incidents.

For residents, the main message remains to follow official warnings and avoid unnecessary exposure to dangerous conditions.

Although the worst of the weather is expected to pass, the combination of extreme rainfall, strong winds, waterspouts and unusually low temperatures has made August 29 an exceptional weather day for Cyprus.

The event also highlights the importance of effective early-warning systems and emergency preparedness when rapidly developing storms affect densely populated coastal and mountainous areas.