The met office early on Wednesday issued a yellow alert warning of heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours.

Met office director Kleanthis Nicolaides told CyBC radio that a low pressure system affecting the area will continue until Friday with rain and the possibility of isolated thunderstorms.

In its yellow alert issued, the met office said the total rain accumulation locally is likely to exceed 55 mm in a 24 hour period. It added that isolated thunderstorms are possible late in the afternoon.

The yellow alert is in force from 6 am on Wednesday to 6 am on Thursday.

The met office said that a low pressure system moving slowly east is affecting the area. It added that dust is expected at intervals, with levels expected to rise on Thursday.

Wednesday will be mainly cloudy with rain in many areas. Isolated thunderstorms are possible, particularly late in the afternoon,

Winds will be easterly to south easterly at 4 or 5 Beaufort, while the sea will be rough.

Temperatures will be 15 C inland, around 16 C on the south and east coasts, 17 C on the west and north coasts and around 7 C in the mountains.

Tonight will be mainly cloudy with scattered showers and/or isolated thunderstorms. Snow is expected in the higher Troodos peaks. Temperatures will drop to 10 C inland, around 12 C on the coasts and 3 C in the mountains.

Thursday will be partly cloudy with scattered showers and possible isolated thunderstorms and snowfall in the higher mountain peaks. Temperatures will edge up, particularly inland and in the south, to slightly above average for the time of year.

Friday will be partly cloudy and at intervals mainly cloudy with rain, isolated thunderstorms and snowfall in the mountains.

Saturday will be partly cloudy at intervals with possible scattered showers.

Temperatures will fall on Friday remaining unchanged on Saturday at a little below average for the time of year.

Snow in Troodos Square is 44 cm.

Source: In-Cyprus.com