Draft:Climate of Tsada

The climate of Tsada, a village located in the Paphos District of Cyprus, is classified as a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen: Csa). Its relatively high elevation, approximately 600 meters above sea level, distinguishes its weather patterns from the coastal city of Paphos, which lies just 8 kilometers to the south. Tsada experiences distinct seasonal variations, with cooler temperatures, more precipitation, and a notable frequency of frost and occasional snowfall during the winter months, making it one of the few communities in southwestern Cyprus to exhibit such characteristics.

Geography & Topography

Tsada lies on the southwestern foothills of the Troodos Mountains, surrounded by ridged terrain and hilly slopes. The village spans elevations from 300 meters to approximately 639 meters, with notable geographical features such as Tsiarta Hill (616 m) and surrounding vineyard-covered terraces. This varied topography affects air flow, temperature gradients, and the distribution of precipitation. Tsada lies within the Paphos Hills geological zone, composed of uplifted sedimentary rock formations, mainly limestones and sandstones from the Miocene and Pliocene epochs.

Views

Due to its elevated and hillside position, Tsada offers astonishing and unobstructed views, often stretching towards Paphos city, the coastline, and the Mediterranean Sea. Views of surrounding valleys and mountain landscapes are also prominent. This difference in climate makes the Tsada area notably greener and more suitable for certain types of agriculture compared to the more arid coastal strip.

Temperature

The annual mean temperature in Tsada is approximately 16.7°C (62°F), which is several degrees lower than that of nearby coastal Paphos. Temperature fluctuations are moderate, with cool winters and warm, dry summers. Due to its altitude, Tsada is often 4–6°C cooler than Paphos, particularly during the summer months.

Winter Conditions

Due to its elevation, Tsada experiences cooler winters compared to coastal regions. Frosts are occasional at night throughout most winters, and some winters see snowfall, with temperatures potentially dipping to 0°C or lower.

Summer Characteristics

The intense heat experienced in Tsada during the height of summer, noting that daily temperatures can reach or exceed 31∘C. Due to this heat, some people seek ways to cool down.

Seasonal Characteristics

• Winter (December - March): Cooler with the majority of the annual rainfall. Average daily means are in the low to mid-teens Celsius. Frost can occur, and snow is not uncommon, especially towards the end of January.
• Spring (April - May): Temperatures warm up progressively. By May, the average daily mean is around 20 to 21∘C (68 to 70∘F).
• Summer (June - September): Hot and dry. July and August are typically the warmest months, with average daily mean temperatures in the mid to high 20s Celsius.

• Autumn (October - November): Temperatures gradually decrease. October still enjoys pleasant warmth with an average daily mean around 21 to 23∘C (70 to 74∘F), while November becomes cooler, averaging around 17 to 20∘C (63 to 68∘F).

Temperature and precipitation charts

Tsada
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     168     13 6     72     14 5     45     15 6     14     19 9     5     23 13     0.2     28 17     0.1     31 19     0     31 19     13     28 17     44     24 14     80     19 10     175     15 7 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm Source: Climate Tsada
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     6.6     55 42     2.8     56 42     1.8     60 44     0.6     67 48     0.2     74 55     0     82 62     0     87 65     0     88 67     0.5     82 62     1.7     75 56     3.1     67 50     6.9     59 45 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches

Precipitation

Tsada receives an average annual precipitation of approximately 610 mm (24 inches). Rainfall is highly seasonal, with most precipitation concentrated between November and March. The dry season typically extends from May through September, during which monthly rainfall is negligible. In summary, Tsada's precipitation is heavily concentrated in the winter months, with summers being very dry. The elevated location contributes to a higher rainfall total compared to the immediate coastal areas of Paphos.

The rainfall data starkly highlights the Mediterranean pattern. Nearly 50% of the annual precipitation occurs in December, January, and February. In contrast, the combined rainfall for the three core summer months (June, July, August) is a mere 10 mm, effectively a meteorological drought. This distribution dictates everything from water management strategies to the life cycles of the native flora.

Nearby Precipitation Stations

Climate data for Agios Neophytos, Cyprus (420 m)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average precipitation mm (inches)	125 (4.9)	98 (3.9)	71 (2.8)	36 (1.4)	14 (0.6)	2 (0.1)	1 (0.0)	1.0 (0.04)	4 (0.2)	38 (1.5)	72 (2.8)	124 (4.9)	587.1 (23.11)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)	13.3	8.8	5.9	3.6	3.3	0.3	0.0	0.0	1.5	4.3	4.3	10.6	55.9
Average relative humidity (%)	77	75	70	62	55	49	49	53	56	59	67	75	63
Source: Climate Tsada

Hail and Thunder

The season for hail typically spans from November to May, peaking between December and April. Of greatest concern are the rare but damaging hailstorms that can strike in early summer or autumn, posing a significant threat to the local fruit harvest.

Thunderstorms

The skies over Tsada are generally quiet from June through September, as thunderstorms are infrequent. Outside this summer period, thunder becomes a more familiar sound. You can expect to hear it most often from October to January, on about four to five days each month. The frequency then lessens from February to May to roughly two or three days per month.

Snowfall & Frost

Unlike much of the Paphos district, Tsada experiences annual frost and occasional snowfall due to its elevation. Snow typically falls between late December and February and may settle briefly, particularly in shaded or elevated locations. This phenomenon is more frequent in Tsada than in coastal areas, and some years see multiple snow events.

Frosts also occur in places like Agrioelia locality (~270 m altitude) part of Tsada area, but Tsada’s elevation ( 600 m) intensifies cold exposure, with winter lows occasionally falling below zero.

Weather Box

Climate data for Tsada, Cyprus (590 m)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	13 (55)	13.5 (56.3)	15.4 (59.7)	19.2 (66.6)	23.4 (74.1)	28.0 (82.4)	30.7 (87.3)	31.0 (87.8)	27.9 (82.2)	24.0 (75.2)	19.4 (66.9)	15.1 (59.2)	21.7 (71.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	5.6 (42.1)	5.3 (41.5)	6.4 (43.5)	9.0 (48.2)	12.5 (54.5)	16.5 (61.7)	18.6 (65.5)	19.2 (66.6)	16.5 (61.7)	13.5 (56.3)	10.1 (50.2)	7.1 (44.8)	11.7 (53.1)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	168.2 (6.62)	72.13 (2.84)	45.15 (1.78)	14.65 (0.58)	5.75 (0.23)	0.2 (0.01)	0.05 (0.00)	0.0 (0.0)	13.45 (0.53)	44.7 (1.76)	80.9 (3.19)	175.1 (6.89)	620.28 (24.42)
Average relative humidity (%)	77	75	70	62	55	49	49	53	56	59	67	75	63
Source: Climate Tsada

Winds

The region is moderately breezy, particularly during the spring and summer months when afternoon upslope winds occur due to differential heating. Winds are generally from the west or southwest, particularly in summer. Occasional gusts can reach higher speeds during winter storms.

Winter

The windier part of the year for the Paphos district extends from October to June. During these months, winds are more variable but are often strongest from the southwest. Tsada, due to its elevation, can experience stronger and more frequent winds than the coast during winter storms. The peak windiness is February, with an average hourly speed of 19.2 kph.

Summer

This period is generally calmer, with the calmest winds typically occurring in August. The dominant feature of summer winds is the daily sea breeze, known locally by its ancient Greek name, 'Anemos'. This westerly or southwesterly breeze originates from the sea as the land heats up during the day. It typically begins in the late morning, peaks in the afternoon, and brings cooling relief to the region, a phenomenon from which Tsada benefits greatly.

Agriculture

The climate is favorable for a range of crops, particularly grapes, almonds, olives, and cereals. Viticulture is a key industry, with the combination of cooler nights and long sunny days providing optimal conditions for grape ripening. Calcareous soils and traditional dryland farming methods are well suited to the climate. The landscape is characterised by olive groves, vineyards, and citrus orchards, contributing to the village’s picturesque scenery. The surrounding hills are home to a variety of wildlife, including foxes, hares, and hedgehogs, adding to the village’s natural charm.

Land Use and Ecology

Tsada is prominent in vineyards, grain, olives, nuts; climate suitability for agriculture.

Climate Change

No discussion of climate is complete without considering the future. The Eastern Mediterranean is recognized by scientists as a climate change hotspot, projected to experience faster-than-average warming and increasing aridity. For Tsada, this could mean several changes. Projections suggest a continued rise in average temperatures, potentially leading to more intense and frequent summer heatwaves. Rainfall patterns may shift, with models suggesting the possibility of longer dry periods punctuated by more extreme, intense rainfall events, which could increase risks of soil erosion.

These changes have significant implications. For the vital viticulture sector, rising temperatures could alter the sugar and acid balance in grapes, potentially affecting the character of the wine. Water resources, sustained by winter rains, will become even more precious. The risk of wildfires during the extended dry seasons could increase. Adapting to these changes—through water conservation, sustainable farming practices, and careful land management—will be the primary challenge for Tsada in the 21st century, as it seeks to preserve the unique climatic balance that makes it so special.

2°C global warming will reduce precipitation by ~10 to 15% by the year 2050. The estimated precipitation will be around 520 mm - 550 mm from normal average of 610 mm. This will elevate the risk of prolonged droughts and wildfires.

Natural Hazards Risk

Relative risk out of 10

1. Earthquakes: High 7
2. Droughts: Low 1.4

Weather Stations

1. Tsada is served by a personal weather station, ITSADA3, registered on Weather Underground. This station records local temperature, humidity, wind, and rainfall data. Although ITSADA3 is a non-governmental station, it supplements data from the official Cyprus Department of Meteorology station at Paphos International Airport.
2. The Tsada Weather Station, a key meteorological observation facility serving the Tsada region in Paphos, Cyprus, is strategically positioned at a notable elevation of 606 meters above mean sea level. This specific altitude is instrumental for gathering precise atmospheric data that accurately reflects the weather conditions and microclimate prevalent at this height within the local topography. While the station's primary function revolves around environmental monitoring and data acquisition, it falls within the geographical area covered by the 8540 postal code of Tsada. The exact pinpoint location of the Tsada Weather Station is defined by the geographical coordinates Latitude 34.84057° North and Longitude 32.47458° East. These coordinates are crucial for the accurate spatial referencing of the weather data collected, aiding in forecasting, climate studies, and various other meteorological applications.
3. The ITALA3 weather station, officially listed as Tala (ITALA3) on Weather Underground, is situated in the vicinity of Tsada, a village in the Paphos District of Cyprus. Despite its designation referencing "Tala," the station is geographically located within or very near Tsada itself. This naming convention may stem from administrative or historical reasons, but it does not accurately reflect the station's physical location.
4. Paphos International Airport (LCPH): Located approximately 13 km southwest of Tsada, this station offers comprehensive meteorological observations, including temperature, wind speed, humidity, and precipitation levels.
5. Kathikas Weather Station is located approximately 13 kilometers north of Tsada, both situated within the Paphos District of Cyprus. The drive between the two villages typically takes about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on traffic and road conditions. Kathikas sits at an elevation of 635 meters, while Tsada is at approximately 600 meters, offering both villages a cooler climate compared to coastal areas.