rain

A lively time in the garden

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A lively time in the garden

Plants are thriving and flowers are blooming in the garden. The calla lily bed is sharing its white flowers, trees are looking fresh with green foliage, and jacarandas and Melia trees are flowering. Echium webbii, ‘Painted Lady’ butterflies, wisteria, and irises are also mentioned as blooming in the garden. Alyogyne huegelii, also known as the ‘Australian hibiscus’ or ‘blue hibiscus,’ is described as an attractive shrub that can grow up to three meters and has light mauve flowers.

Today, ’s weather: Possible isolated storms

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Today, ’s weather: Possible isolated storms

– Saturday’s weather may entail localised rain and isolated storms in various parts of the island.
– Temperatures will rise to 25 degrees Celsius inland, 22 degrees Celsius on the coasts, and 16 degrees Celsius in the mountains.
– Overnight temperatures will drop to around 10 degrees Celsius inland, 12 degrees Celsius on the coasts, and six degrees Celsius in the mountains.
– Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to persist through Monday and Tuesday, with temperatures expected to continue to drop.

A source of pleasure for gourmets worldwide

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A source of pleasure for gourmets worldwide

Voatsiperifery is considered one of the best peppers in the world, with a unique taste, more flavor, and less pungency than other peppers. It is endemic to Madagascar and is a source of income for people living near forests. The wild pepper is under threat of extinction and is contributing to the destruction of its habitat. Efforts are being made to domesticate the pepper to protect it and promote forest conservation.

Women in Formula One

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Women in Formula One

Fact: In Formula One, historically, only five female racing drivers have entered world championship grands prix, with just two qualifying and actually racing.

Boat Race rowers told to avoid the water as UK sewage dumping surges

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Boat Race rowers told to avoid the water as UK sewage dumping surges

– Victorious rowers in Britain’s University Boat Race have been warned not to jump into the River Thames this weekend due to alarming levels of E. coli bacteria.
– Raw sewage was discharged for more than 3.6 million hours in 2023, more than double the previous year.
– The River Thames, which hosts the annual Boat Races between Oxford and Cambridge University students, has been affected by the sewage spills.
– Organizers have put precautionary measures in place to protect the health of athletes, including covering up open wounds, regular hand-washing, and a cleansing station at the finish area.
– British water companies have been accused of failing to invest in infrastructure, leading to routine dumping of sewage in waterways.
– The government has promised to clamp down on the dumping of sewage, which is only supposed to happen during exceptional rainfall to prevent it from backing up into homes.

ANALYSIS-Pasta makers cheer Turkey as its durum wheat flows abroad

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ANALYSIS-Pasta makers cheer Turkey as its durum wheat flows abroad

Turkey has become a significant exporter of durum wheat, helping to fill a supply gap caused by drought in Canada. Turkish exports have kept durum prices stable and competitive, benefiting pasta producers and consumers. Turkey’s strong crop yields and competitive prices have made it a key player in the global durum market, with analysts predicting continued substantial exports in the coming years. The country’s role in supplying durum wheat may become even more crucial as Europe plans to use tariffs to limit grain imports from Russia.

Stoic Sabalenka makes winning start to Miami Open

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Stoic Sabalenka makes winning start to Miami Open

Aryna Sabalenka, the world number two tennis player, won against Paula Badosa with scores of 6-4, 6-3 at the Miami Open, advancing to the third round. This match occurred shortly after the death of Sabalenka’s former boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov. The match’s start was delayed by over six hours due to heavy rain in South Florida. Sabalenka, who is 25 years old and from Belarus, had received a bye in the first round. Despite the emotional and weather-related challenges, she performed well against Badosa, who acknowledged Sabalenka’s strength and wished her well in the tournament. Sabalenka had issued a statement expressing her heartbreak over Koltsov’s death, who was confirmed to have died after jumping off a balcony at a Miami resort, with no foul play suspected according to the Miami-Dade police department. Koltsov was a former professional hockey player who participated in the 2002 and 2010 Olympics and played for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL. Sabalenka’s next opponent in the tournament is Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina. Additionally, on the men’s side of the Miami Open, Czech player Tomas Machac defeated the fifth seed Andrey Rublev, while American Coco Gauff won against Argentine qualifier Nadia Podoroska in the women’s category.

Dams below 50 per cent capacity despite adverse weather

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Dams below 50 per cent capacity despite adverse weather

– Rainfall in February was only 48% of the average for that time of year, and temperatures were 2.1 degrees Celsius above normal.
– From October 2023 to February 2024, total rainfall was approximately 280.4mm, or 75% of normal.
– During the same period, 20 million cubic metres of rain flowed into reservoirs, which is below desirable levels.
– Reservoirs are at 47% capacity compared to 69% the previous year, containing 138 million cubic metres compared to over 200 million cubic metres going into the summer of 2023.
– The Kouris dam is at 40.8% capacity, Kalavasos at 30.3%, Lefkara at 63%, Asprokremmos at 55.6%, and Evretou at 54.6%.
– Inflow into reservoirs this winter has been low.
– It is unlikely there will need to be water cuts this summer, but there will be limits on the quantity given to agriculture.
– Measures are being promoted to inform farmers about improved irrigation practices and the maximum utilisation of reclaimed water.
– February’s weather included torrential rain, hail, snow in the mountains, and even a tornado, but these did not significantly contribute to reaching normal levels of rainfall for the month.
– Rainfall in Stroumbi in Paphos was 20% of the normal for February, while in Kelokedara it was 122% of the average. In the Larnaca district, rainfall ranged from 56% of normal in Meniko to 114% in Athienou.
– A tornado hit Yermasoyia on February 14, causing significant damage to houses, properties, and the electricity network, resulting in power cuts in several areas of Limassol.
– Nicosia district experienced flooding in the Potami area and damage in Kampos village due to bad weather.
– Torrential rain later in the month caused problems in Astromeritis, Evrycho, Agia Marina Xyliatou in Nicosia, and in Kofinou in Larnaca. The Kilrou dam also overflowed.
– The bad weather affected the entire island from February 13-18, impacting traffic flow on highways.
– Most weather stations recorded their highest maximum temperatures on February 6, 13, 25, and 29, reaching 16C and 17C. Only February 1 and 5 had temperatures below normal.

Today, ’s weather: Mostly clear

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Today, ’s weather: Mostly clear

Friday’s weather is expected to be mostly clear with increased cloud cover in the afternoon and isolated rain in the southeast of the island. Temperatures will reach around 20 degrees Celsius inland and on the coasts, and nine degrees Celsius in the mountains. Winds could reach up to six on the Beaufort scale on the southwest coast and five elsewhere. The sea will be a little rough off the east coast and rougher off the rest of the coasts. Overnight, clear weather will continue with possible increased cloud cover and isolated rain in the west and north. Temperatures will drop to seven degrees Celsius inland, nine degrees Celsius on the coasts, and one degree in the mountains, where frost will form. Winds will decrease to three on the Beaufort scale. The weekend will see clear weather with possible increased cloud cover and occasional showers in the afternoon. Sunday will have lower temperatures, but they will rise again from Monday.

Today, ’s weather: Partly cloudy

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Today, ’s weather: Partly cloudy

Thursday’s weather is expected to be partly cloudy with the possibility of rain in the west of the island, which may progress further north as the day goes on. Temperatures are expected to reach 20 degrees Celsius inland and on the southwest and west coasts, 21 degrees Celsius on the rest of the coasts, and eight degrees in the mountains. Winds are expected to be moderate, between three and four on the Beaufort scale, across most of the island, with stronger winds possible on the south and east coasts. Overnight, cloud cover will increase, with rain likely on the northern coast. The weather is expected to clear up as the night progresses. Temperatures overnight are expected to drop to eight degrees Celsius inland, nine degrees Celsius on the south and east coasts, 10 degrees Celsius on the north coast, and two degrees in the mountains, where frost is expected to form. Clearer and sunnier weather is expected for Friday, with a slight drop in temperatures continuing through the weekend. Rain is possible on Saturday, with temperatures falling enough that snowfall will be possible in the Troodos mountain range, before temperatures begin to rise again on Sunday.