A significant dust plume from North Africa is covering Cyprus, as unsettled weather conditions continue into the weekend with intermittent rain and storms.

According to the met office, “huge amounts of dust” lifted from Saharan Africa are now heading eastwards towards the island.

The dust cloud, initially affected Paphos before spreading across the island.

Hazy conditions are set to continue, with visibility reduced despite intervals of sunshine.

According to air quality readings released on Friday, PM10 levels are far above safe limits with the EU daily limit of 50 micrograms per cubic metre.

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Nicosia recorded 1,330.6 micrograms per cubic metre, Limassol 431.9, Larnaca 423.7 and Paphos 721.7 micrograms per cubic metre.

Background stations reported even higher concentrations, with Ayia Marina at 1,824.8.

In response, the labour inspection department announced on Friday the suspension and rescheduling of all outdoor work and activities due to high dust concentrations.

The department said activities must be postponed until conditions return to safe levels.

High dust levels have been recorded around the island

Monitoring will continue and a new announcement will be issued once the phenomenon subsides.

Met office spokesman, Panayiotis Georgiou said the dust is expected to linger until Sunday morning, clarifying that conditions will be most severe in the Mesaoria plain.

Furthermore, the football federation (KOP) recommended the suspension of any games until conditions improve.

Temperatures are expected to remain stable, reaching between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius in Nicosia and Limassol, and around 11 degrees in Troodos.

Tonight, increased cloudiness is forecast at intervals, while temperatures will drop to around 9 degrees in Nicosia, 12 degrees in Limassol and Larnaca and near 4 degrees in Troodos.

On Friday, temperatures will reach around 19 degrees in Nicosia and Paphos, and about 8 degrees in Troodos.

Conditions will ease later on Friday night, with mostly clear skies, although low cloud is expected to form above the Troodos range.

On Saturday, locally increased cloud coverage is expected, bringing isolated rain and thunderstorms.

By Sunday, the weather will be mainly cloudy, with local rain and isolated storms ongoing.