Storm Byron Brings Record December Rainfall After 109 Years in S Cyprus

The amount exceeded the normal rainfall for the entire month of December in Polis Chrysochous, which stands at 99.8mm based on the 1961-1990 average, according to a Meteorological Service announcement.

Cyprus was under the influence of barometric low Byron from 5 to 7 December, a system that had already produced very high rainfall amounts and intense electrical activity during its passage through Greece, the announcement said.

From the early morning hours of Sunday 7 December, the system began producing extensive and locally intense rainfall across the entire island.

The Kathikas station recorded 67.1mm, the third-highest daily December rainfall since the station began operations in 1977. Higher values appeared only twice: 99.7mm in 2001 and 74.5mm in 2008.

Several other stations in Paphos district and other island areas recorded daily amounts between 15mm and 57mm, confirming the extensive and water-bearing character of storm Byron.

Preliminary data for the entire three-day period from 5 to 7 December showed the highest rainfall concentrated in western, southwestern and mountainous Cyprus, with the average three-day rainfall reaching 35.1mm for the free areas, according to the Meteorology Department’s geographical distribution map.

Due to the significant rainfall, several stations noticeably increased the percentage of normal monthly rain coverage. In Polis Chrysochous, the normal monthly rainfall was not only covered but exceeded, reaching 126% by the morning of 8 December.

Other areas reached 25% to 40%, showing the episode was particularly intense but not spatially uniform.

Overall, the 7 December 2025 rainfall in Polis Chrysochous constitutes an extremely significant hydrometeorological event with a clearly extreme character compared to the area’s climatic values, the Meteorological Service stated.

Source: CNA