Pratical Information for North Cyprus

Pratical Information for North Cyprus

Climate and Clothes
As the weather is largely predictable and of no unusual range, the inhabitants of Cyprus and North Cyprus are fortunate people, concerned mainly with seasonal rainfall which will fill the cisterns and the river-beds and make the parched land of the plains burst into life and colour, producing a mass of exportable produce. Visitors to the island are luckier still as regards weather conditions, because they can practise a degree of pre-selection. For instance, snow fit for winter sports can be found on Troodos in January and February at a time when the plains have a mean daily temperature of 50° F. Conversely, when Nicosia's August maximum may be well into the hundreds, Troodos is likely to be twenty degrees lower, with a further substantial drop in night temperature. In this connection, it is only fair to add that the summer heat of Nicosia is mitigated not only by the dryness of the atmosphere but by an evening breeze which appears with the utmost punctuality. Also, the thermometer readings of the coastal towns, although not so very different from those of Nicosia, are deceptive in that sea breezes make for tolerance or even enjoyment of maximum summer heat, in the same way that fair weather and shelter can compensate for winter lows (daily mean 60° P.).

Two other major factors make up a climate: sunshine and rainfall. Records taken at Airports show that, allowing for all possible hours of daylight, the sun shines 74 per cent of the time. Figures for the twelve months of the year are available, a random sample being March 62 per cent, July 90 per cent, October 80 per cent and January 57 per cent. In view of the conformation of the island, with its two mountain ranges separated by a plain, rainfall is by no means uniform, varying considerably from district to district and from place to place. Nicosia is the dryest town, as well as having the minimum humidity in hot weather, the average annual rainfall reading being 14-72 in. North Cyprus Kyrenia is the wettest (21-15 in.), hence the greenery and luscious fruit of the northern coastal strip. The Troodos Mountains must be considered separately. Roughly, the greater the altitude, the higher the rainfall. Troodos Resort averages as much as 48-95 in., the preponderance of which occurs from late October to early May. During January to March this may be expected to precipitate in the form of snow. In the winter period, although the main roads are kept clear of snow and landslide, sightseeing off the beaten track is uninviting. Consequently many of the mountain hotels, except those connected with winter sports, are closed during the winter months and have their high season in the summer. For the benefit of bathers, four seasonal sea temperatures may be quoted here: January 61-4° F. (16-4° C.), April 65-5° (18-6° C), July 79-4° F. (26-3° C.), and October 77° F. (25-1° C.).

To sum up, the climate is good and healthy. Vanished are the days when Crusaders putting in at the ports on the south coast of Cyprus expected to have as many of their number taken by fever as by the swords of the Saracens. In fact, drainage and modern pest control have reached such a high standard of success that it is said that the incidence of the mosquito has to be made the subject of a report to the authorities. This is a slight overstatement. Meteorological records show a favourable climate all the year round in comparison with other Mediterranean countries. However, spring (from early March) and autumn (until the end of November) are the most suitable seasons for average northern visitors especially those who propose spending a good deal of their time in energetic sightseeing.

Tweeds and woollen clothing are suitable for the winter months,, but as spring comes these will soon be discarded in favour of lightweight materials. In summer the most comfortable and gay sports clothes may be worn, with the provision of something warmer after sundown at the higher altitudes. Cypriot women are modest in their apparel, and 'way out' clothes may attract unwelcome attention in places far from the populated areas. Care must be taken by women to be 'decently' dressed when visiting churches. Outside one of these there is a notice reading: 'Ladies in shorts not allowed, in the church. Please see the caretaker for a skirt. The best hotels, are smart, and their patrons like to dress up in the evenings, without necessarily being absolutely formal.

	Price: 99950 GBP Villa in Catalkoy North Cyprus