Record rainfall in Cyprus. It's the wettest August since 1902.

A rainfall record in Cyprus has been officially confirmed by the Department of Meteorology. The average rainfall for August 2026 in areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus was 30 mm. This is the highest total for that month since records began in 1902.

The average for August is just 2.9 mm. This year's rainfall reached a staggering 1,034 percent of normal—over ten times higher than usual. Severe storms at the end of the month contributed most to the record.

Record rainfall in Cyprus after 55 years

The rainiest August so far was recorded in 1971. The average rainfall then was 20.6 mm.

In August 2026, it was 30 mm. This new result exceeds the previous record by 9.4 mm, or about 46 percent.

The five rainiest Augusts since records began:

• 2026 – 30 mm,
• 1971 – 20.6 mm,
• 1972 – 15.4 mm,
• 1974 – 14.5 mm,
• 1962 – 13.1 mm.

Most rain fell at the end of the month

The record was decisively impacted by a weather breakdown in the final days of August. From August 28th to 30th, the average rainfall was 22.5 mm. Most of the rain fell on August 29th, when severe storms covered much of the island.

Locally, between 50 and 75 mm of rain were recorded during the three-day episode. This means that in some places, more than ten times the average for the entire month of August fell in just a few days.

The Department of Meteorology highlights an important distinction: 30 mm is the average rainfall for the entire month of August, while 22.5 mm only concerns the three-day episode from August 28 to 30.

Why were the storms so violent?

According to Cypriot meteorologists, several factors conducive to the development of strong and long-lasting storms appeared over the island simultaneously.

A low-pressure system was cut off west of Cyprus. It was accompanied by increased humidity, air mass convergence, and strong upward motion.

This combination allowed for the formation and maintenance of well-organized storm cells. The following were recorded in various parts of the island:

• heavy rainfall,
• hail,
• strong gusts of wind,
• high electrical activity,
• waterspouts in coastal areas.

These were not ordinary, short summer showers, but a widespread weather episode covering a large part of Cyprus.

Almost every fourth August was completely dry

The scale of this year's record is even more visible when compared to previous years.

From 1902 to 2025 as much as 30 of 124 Augusts ended with zero average rainfallThis means that almost every fourth August was completely dry in Cyprus.

Before 2026, the monthly average exceeded 10 mm only seven times. This year's result is clearly unusual, even compared to the wettest summer months on record.

Does this mean climate change?

The Department of Meteorology notes that completely dry Augusts have become less frequent in recent years. However, this fact alone is not sufficient to confirm a lasting climate trend.

To draw such conclusions, a specialized analysis is needed that covers a longer period, the frequency of precipitation, its intensity and distribution between individual regions.

One thing is already certain: August 2026 will go down in history as the rainiest August in Cyprus since records began in 1902.

Sources: Department of Meteorology Republic of Cyprus, Philenews.