A yellow warning for isolated strong storms is in effect until 6:00pm on Saturday combined with high levels of dust, the met office said.

The storms are expected to hit initially in the west of the island and then spread to across the island. Hail and strong winds are expected while rain intensity may exceed 35 millimetres per hour in some areas.

Saturday’s high concentrations of dust should clear by noon on Sunday and the weather gradually improve.

The Labor Inspection Department issued a work safety warning for the high dust levels and also issued a general health warning for the vulnerable.

“Because the dust contains small inhalable particles, which may have a negative impact on human health, the public, and especially vulnerable population groups (children, the elderly and the sick), are urged to avoid moving around in open spaces,” it says.

The latest hourly dust concentration values measured at 08:00 a.m. in the following areas were, in Nicosia 76.6 μg/m3, in Limassol 496.0 μg/m3, in Larnaca 202.9 μg/m3, in Paralimni 1082.9 μg/m3 and in Paphos 203.8 μg/m3.

 More information and continuous, immediate updates on the results of hourly measurements can be found on the website www.airquality.gov.cy .

Meanwhile civil defence has issued recommendations to the public to counter the consequences of heavy rainfall and storms.

These include ensuring drains outside the home or workplace are not blocked and that gutters function normally. Also, for basements in vulnerable areas at risk of flooding, it recommends digging a special water accumulation pit and an automatic water pump, as well as removing valuable objects.