If you consider that on Friday the temperature at Nicosia was 83F, then the
attached pictures are quite a surprise... But it happens even here! It seems
that fall has just been deleted from our little corner of the
world!

Anyway, a major low developed over the island during Saturday, moving off to
the east today. As a result, the associated cold front pushed in the very
cold air that was covering the areas to our north over the last few days,
bringing an amazing drop of more than 45 degrees in temperature. This
resulted in the heaviest snowfall recorded during November for the last 30
years. The snowline descended to about 2000ft, with the highest mountains
receiving from 6 to 10 inches of powder in less than five hours during the
afternoon. We even had a mix of rain, sleet, and snow in Nicosia. This was
the first record of actual snowflakes in Nicosia this early ever!

I was lucky enough to have one of my off days today. As I was watching the
weather, the clouds that developed by lunchtime were no longer the usual
thunderheads but they really reminded me what I would see whenever we had a
winterstorm warning at Burlington. I knew it would happen, although the met
reports suggested "light snow showers possible over the highest peaks", and
it was the first time I could test my new car (a Honda CR-V I got three
months ago) in snowy roads. I started driving to the nearest mountains,
about 30 minutes from Nicosia. I stopped at about 2500ft, where I took the
attached photos. By the time I got there two inches of powder had
accumulated, with more snow falling steadily (the roads, still warm, had a
much thinner coverage). As I had an appointment at 6pm I did not press it
further, but seeing so much snow this early in the season certainly more
than made my day!!!! Plus the CR-V seems to handle the snow quite well, even
without snow tyres...

I am off again tomorrow, and although the snow is expected to diminish, I
plan to go out again and if able try to go all the way to the ski resort....
though I don't think it will be skiable, it should produce some nice photo
opportunities.... If all goes well I will send some more pictures tomorrow.

Oh well... This winter seems to start in a great way. And now, with a 4wd
car it should be much easier for me to get to the slopes early after the
snows!!!

More coming soon,
Say hi to Erica and Ty!

Rolandos....

Hi Jay,

As promised I include a few more shots from our early winterstorm. I did
manage to go on Tuesday up the mountains, actually to the ski resort and
back. Of course it is not yet skiable, I found 5-10 inches of powder though
on the slopes. What's more, another similar storm is developing, now we are
in the warm sector with temperatures on the mountains around 40, but
tomorrow night another strong cold front is supposed to go through,
hopefully it wilkl provide additional snow for a good base. But it was
wonderful to enjoy so much snowy scenery this early in the season....

The snow-covered village is Agros, on the southern slopes, altitude
3200ft....