Record average temperatures in driest December in 17 years

Average temperatures recorded in December were unusually high, both as far as maximum and minimum in comparison to previous years, according to the meteorological service.

The average daily maximum temperature recorded at Athalassa weather station throughout the month was calculated at 21.4C, the highest ever since its installation in 1983.

The highest ever average daily temperature was also recorded at the Polis Chrysochous weather station, with an average of 22.7C, the highest since it became operational in 1968.

Unusually high average daily maximum temperature were also recorded at the Larnaca and the Paphos weather stations, both with 21.2C.

Data released by the meteorological service also revealed that the average daily minimum temperatures in Cyprus were also among the highest ever recorded in December, with Athalassa reaching an average of 8.4C, Paphos of 12.1C, Polis Chrysochous of 12.1C and Larnaca of 12.2C.

For the last two weather stations, the average daily minimum temperatures recorded in December were the highest since they were installed.

In addition to that, the statement also said that December was the 13th driest since 1901 and the driest since 2006. However, total rainfall for both October and December 2021 was estimated at around 95 per cent of the average rainfall for the corresponding period in previous years.