Storms in Cyprus. Lightning almost completely destroyed the premises.

The forecasted worsening weather reached the island. On the night from Thursday to Friday storms in Cyprus brought heavy rainfall and a very large number of lightning strikes. The most serious incident reported so far occurred in the Paphos district, where a restaurant caught fire after being struck by lightning.

The yellow weather warning remains in effect until 5:00 PM on Friday, September 18. Forecasters are predicting further localized thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds. Rainfall rates of 35 to 55 millimeters per hour are possible at times.

Fire in the Lara area

At approximately 3:00 a.m., lightning reportedly struck a restaurant in the Lara area of Paphos. A fire broke out in the building, causing extensive damage.

According to Cypriot media, the facility was almost completely destroyed. No reports of injuries have been released at this time.

The overnight storms also caused local traffic problems. In some areas, heavy rain carried water and mud onto the roads. Residents across the island posted videos showing frequent lightning flashes and repeated lightning strikes.

The storms in Cyprus are not over yet

Just because some coastal towns are sunny in the morning doesn't mean the danger is over. Storms are localized, so the weather can change very quickly and vary significantly, even between neighboring towns.

According to the warning, the stronger storms initially affected the western part of the island. However, they may also affect other regions throughout the day.

From midday, thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are expected to concentrate primarily in the mountains and eastern parts of the country. Local hail is also possible.

During storms, wind direction can change rapidly, with gusts reaching force 8, and in some places even force 9, on the Beaufort scale.

Check the precipitation radar

The situation can change rapidly in different parts of the island. The map below shows current rainfall and the movement of storm zones.

The temperature will drop

On Friday, temperatures are expected to reach around 31 degrees inland, around 28 degrees on the coast and around 22 degrees in the highest parts of the mountains.

However, in areas affected by storms, temperatures may temporarily become noticeably cooler. Heavy rainfall may be accompanied by reduced visibility and sudden gusts of wind.

A more noticeable improvement in the weather is expected in the late afternoon. Saturday and Sunday are expected to be sunny across most of the island, although scattered showers or isolated thunderstorms are still possible in the mountains and locally inland during the afternoon.

What should drivers watch out for?

The greatest threat on roads can be water accumulating on roads. Heavy rainfall in a short period of time can lead to localized flooding, even if the rain stops after a few minutes.

Drivers should:

• reduce speed and increase distance from other vehicles;
• do not drive onto flooded road sections;
• watch out for water, mud and stones washed onto the road;
• avoid parking near normally dry riverbeds;
• turn on your lights and refrain from braking suddenly.

If the water makes it impossible to assess the depth of the flooded section, do not attempt to drive through it.

How to behave during a storm?

During lightning strikes, beaches, open spaces, isolated trees, hills and metal structures should be avoided.

People at the coast should leave the water and move away from the shoreline. Avoid sheltering under a single tree or standing in an open area with an umbrella.

In homes and apartments, it's a good idea to secure items left on balconies and terraces. Strong winds can cause them to be blown away, posing a threat to passersby or parked cars.

See the current situation in different regions

CYPRNews provides current weather, precipitation radar, and live camera views across the island. You can see conditions in the Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca, Famagusta, Nicosia, and Troodos regions, among others.

The warning is in effect until 5:00 PM, but its end does not automatically mean that all precipitation will cease in every region at that exact time. It's worth checking the latest forecast and current advisories before traveling.

Sources: Department of Meteorology of the Republic of Cyprus; Phileleftheros; Politis.