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Cyprus Weather and Climate
The island enjoys an intense Mediterranean climate with long,
warm and dry summers from mid-May to mid-October. The winters
are mild and sometimes rainy, lasting from December to February.
Summers and winters in Cyprus are separated by short autumn
and spring seasons.
Temperatures
Summer on the island is a season of high temperatures with
cloudless sky, but the sea breeze creates a pleasant atmosphere
in coastal areas. The hottest month ranges from 21 –
34 °C, in the high summer the temperatures reach up to
40 °C. In the interior of the island the temperature during
the coldest months is between 7 and 15 degrees. Relief is
a significant factor as far as temperatures are concerned.
The higher the relief the lower the temperature is. In sunny
coastal holiday resorts is therefore higher temperature while
the Troodos Mountains or the Kyrenia Mountain range gets more
rainfall and lower temperatures. Winters are mild with some
rain and only occasional quick-melting falls of snow. The
whole island boasts high sunshine duration in all coastal
areas, even in January there are generally six hours of bright
sunshine during the day. The weather in Cyprus is really most
pleasant for holidays all year round.
 
The following table shows the mean daily temperature to certain
towns in Cyprus in January and July/August.
| City |
January (ºC) |
July/August
(ºC) |
July relative humidity (%) |
| Paphos |
13, 1 |
26,4 |
66 |
| Limassol |
12,4 |
27,1 |
- |
| Larnaca |
11,4 |
27,3 |
- |
| Nicosia |
10,6 |
29,4 |
29 |
Rainfall and snow
The average rainfall of 402 mm, however, is below Mediterranean
average, conforms more to the climate pattern of the eastern
Mediterranean. Although snowfall is not typical of Cyprus
plains and coastal areas, it can remain on the Troodos massif for 50 days a year. The coastal plains get a low rainfall,
on average from 340 to 500 mm, falling predominately in the
winter (Paphos town: 428 mm, Polis Chrysochou: 471 mm, Limassol town:
435 mm, Larnaca town: 369 mm). Nicosia town is characterized by lower average rainfall (324 mm) as
it is situated in the outback of the island. In the hilly
areas the average rainfall varies between 500 and 750 mm,
falling particularly in winter, rarely in the summer. Due
to the altitude, the highest number of rainfall is bound to
the mountainous areas, where it ranges between 750 and 1110
mm with very little rainfall in the summer.
Suggested clothing
Here are some hints concerning clothes to wear during the
whole year in Cyprus:
December - January: It is the
winter time for Cypriots however, at daytime the sunshine
is not absent. During this period you should be prepared for
all the kinds of weather that a European spring may bring.
The evenings and nights are cold. Recommended are winter clothes
but definitely not heavy coats.
February - March: Occasional rain,
sometimes chilly evenings. Plenty of warm and sunny days.
March is a spring period in Cyprus. Light winter clothes with
medium-weight wear.
April - May: Pleasantly warm days,
though temperatures may fall a bit at night. Medium-weight
and summer apparel with woollies for the evenings.
June - July - August: Hot summer
time with the cloudless sky and temperatures up to 40°
C. Recommended is very light summer clothing. Make sure you
wear sunglasses and a hat. Have plenty of sun cream with you
as well as a bottle of water.
September - October: Hot or warm
days with cooler October evenings. Light-weight clothing for
the day and medium-weight, like light jacket for the evenings
in October.
November: Pleasantly warm and
sunny days. Recommended is medium-weight clothing supplied
with light woollies.
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