Some schools remained closed on Monday, as a cold spell gripped the island with snow and temperatures as low as -9C in the mountains – seven degrees below normal — according to the met office, which issued a yellow warning for higher regions.
The warning, in force from 10pm tonight until 8am on Tuesday morning, was issued due to potential dangers in the mountains.
On Monday morning, the level of snow in Troodos reached 35 centimetres, and several schools in the mountains remained closed today, while other students could not attend because of closed roads.
According to the education ministry, kindergartens remained closed in Platres, Kyperounta, Agros Pelendri, Trimiklini and Kambos. Also closed are primary schools in Platres, Kyperounta, Agros, Pelendri and Kambos, and the high schools in Lemithou and Agros.
The met office said Monday would be cloudy with intervals of sunshine, while light snow was likely in the mountainous and hilly areas, and light rain or sleet in other areas.
Winds are forecast to be moderate and will weaken by late afternoon. Temperatures will rise to 7C inland, 10C in coastal areas and -3C in the higher mountains. In the mountainous and hilly areas frost will prevail.
Album 1
Overnight the weather will be partly cloudy and light snowfall and sleet can not be ruled out. The temperature will drop to 0C inland, around 2C on the coast, and -9C in the higher mountains. Frost is expected in many lowland areas.
On Tuesday more snow and rain is expected but temperatures will increase slightly.
On Wednesday the temperatures will remain the same, but a rise is forecast for Thursday.
Due to weather conditions, a number of roads are closed or open only to four-wheel drives and vehicles as follows:
Closed roads:
Prodromos – Troodos
Platres – Troodos
Karvounas – Troodos
Moniatis – Platres
Saittas – Amiantos
Agros – Palaichori
Agros – Kyperounta – Karvounas
Agios Theodoros – Papoutsas
Amiantos – Karvounas
Saittas – Pera Pedi – Mandria
Also, the following are open to four wheel drives equipped with snow chains:
Nicosia area
Alona – Polystypos
Palaichori – Aska – Fterikoudi
Polystypos – Chandria
Lagoudera – Xyliatos
Fterikoudi – Alona – Platanistasa
Limassol area
Kalo Chorio – Zoopigi
Trimiklini – Pelendri
Pelendri – Asbestos
Pelendri – Potamitissa
Morphou area
Kakopetria – Karvounas
Kakopetria – Pinewood
Kakopetria – Spilia – Agia Irini – Kannavia
Moutoula – Pedoulas
Pedoulas – Kykkos
Pedoulas – Prodromos
Pedoulas – Pinewood – Kakopetria
Prodromos – Platres
Kambos – Kykkos – Pedoulas
Prodromos – Lemythou
Open to all vehicles, but very slippery, are the following roads:
Aplikiou – Palaichori
Palaichori – Farmakas
Farmakas – Odous
Fikardou – Kionia
Kambos – Orkontas
Drivers are advised to be especially careful, drive at low speeds, maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead and have the headlights of their vehicles on. Those who intend to travel in mountainous and hilly areas are invited to keep up with police notifications for their own benefit.
www.police.gov.cy
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