Extreme weather events are given their own names through a naming process jointly implemented by Cyprus, Greece, and Israel.
Speaking on the program “Alpha News,” Philippos Tymvios, Director of the Meteorological Service, noted that there are 24 names for extreme weather events.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
How the naming system began
Mr. Tymvios recalled that on October 1, 2021, the trilateral national collaboration between Greece, Cyprus-Israel launched the process of naming weather systems expected to cause very severe phenomena and to affect the Eastern Mediterranean during both the cold and warm seasons of the year.
It noted, among other things, that for the period October 2026–September 2027, the list of selected names will be used in alphabetical order; that is, the next extreme weather event will be named “Argos.” It should be noted that the list was compiled jointly by the three National Meteorological Services, reflecting the linguistic conventions of their respective countries using the Latin alphabet.
When Is a Weather Phenomenon Named?
Mr. Tymvios explains that for a weather phenomenon to be named, a red alert must be issued.
Why is a phenomenon named?
According to Mr. Tymvios, when a phenomenon is named, it is automatically given an identity. This allows citizens to remember and recognize it more easily.
Regarding the forecast for the hydrological year, Mr. Tymvios stated that what has been evident since the beginning of summer is that September, October, and November will be accompanied by increased rainfall.
“It looks like we’ll have good rainfall in October, November, December, and January—close to normal—while February will see slightly more than normal. That’s good news.”
Detailed weather report
A weak low-pressure system is affecting the region.
This afternoon, the weather will be mostly clear in most parts of the island; however, locally increased cloud cover is expected, are expected to bring isolated showers and possibly isolated brief thunderstorms, mainly in the mountains and in areas in the eastern half of the island. Winds will blow mainly from the southwest to the northwest, generally moderate to strong, 4 to 5 Beaufort, and locally along the windward coasts, they will be temporarily very strong, 5 to 6 Beaufort. The sea will be slightly rough along the eastern coasts and up to rough along the remaining coasts.
Tonight, the weather will be generally mostly clear. Winds will blow mainly from the northwest to the northeast, light and at times moderate, 3 to 4 Beaufort. The sea in the south and east will be calm to slightly rough, while in the west and north it will be slightly rough. Temperatures will drop to around 18 degrees inland, around 21 degrees along the coast, and around 12 degrees in the higher mountainous areas.
Tomorrow, the weather will be generally mostly clear. Winds in the morning will be variable and light, at 3 Beaufort, gradually becoming mainly southwesterly to northwesterly, light to moderate, 3 to 4 Beaufort, and temporarily in the afternoon along the windward coasts, moderate to strong, 4 to 5 Beaufort. The sea in the east will be calm to slightly rough, while along the rest of the coast it will be slightly rough. Temperatures will rise to around 31 degrees inland, along the southern and eastern coasts, around 29 degrees along the western and northern coasts, and around 21 degrees in the higher mountainous areas.
On Saturday, the weather will remain mostly clear, though there will be periods of increased local cloud cover.
On Sunday, there will be periods of increased local cloud cover, which is expected to bring isolated showers or even thunderstorms, mainly in the mountains and in the north. On Monday, the weather will be partly cloudy and, at times, mostly cloudy, with local showers and isolated thunderstorms expected. Winds will gradually strengthen significantly, particularly in coastal areas exposed to the wind.
Temperatures are not expected to change significantly through Monday, remaining close to normal levels for this time of year.
