Cyprus yellow alert for hottest day of the year   

Cyprus has issued a yellow warning this weekend for extremely hot weather as maximum temperatures are expected to reach a sweltering 41° Celsius making it one of the hottest May days on record.

The Met Office issued a warning for Saturday for people to avoid the heat during 12.30 and 5 pm as it will feel extremely hot and uncomfortable.

The Forestry Department issued a ‘red alert’ for the weekend warning of a particularly high risk of fires because of the heatwave, as Cyprus is expected to record the hottest day this year.

With temperatures on Friday rising to 39° C in the mainland, Cyprus Meteorological services said that temperatures on Saturday will exceed this with a scorching 41° C.

“Besides the increased risk of a fire breaking out and spreading as a result of the heatwave, services must also have to deal with logistical problems such as programming and organisation because of measures to contain COVID-19,” warned the Forestry Department.

Cyprus’ Met Office also warned people that there will be light dust floating in the atmosphere over the weekend, increasing the levels of discomfort.

Saturday will see temperatures rise to above 40° C, while they are to remain at the same level for Sunday and Monday.