Orange weather warning, Cyprus braces for a sweltering 44°C (Updated)

The met office has issued another orange weather warning over the heat, with temperatures expected to climb 44 degrees C on Saturday.

The warning will be in affect from noon until 5pm.

The temperature will reach 44 degrees inland, while in the mountains it is expected to reach 33 degrees.

Temperatures on the coast will be 38 degrees in the east, and 35 degrees on the rest of the coast.

In the evening the temperature is expected to fall to 27 degrees inland and on the coast, while in the mountains it is expected to fall to 22 degrees.

Speaking to CyBC, the head of the met office Kleanthis Nicolaides said that approaching midday, there will be an increase of humidity on the coasts, which will cause discomfort.

Nicolaides said that the record for the highest temperature recorded in Cyprus was on August 31, 2010, when temperatures reached 45.6 degrees C.

Meanwhile, the forestry department said that the risk of forest fires is at a red level.

The department said: “It is emphasized that lighting a fire without a permit is prohibited and that it constitutes an offence, which according to the Forestry Law of 2012, is punishable by imprisonment of up to 10 years or a fine of up to €50,000 or both penalties together and according to the Prevention of Fires in the Countryside Law of 1988 up to 5 years or a fine of up to €20,000 or both penalties together.”

Lighting a fire for food preparation is only allowed in the grills of the picnic areas, the department added.