Thick fog since 9.15am has been affecting traffic in the mountainous areas of Limassol, mainly in the areas of Agros, Handria and Kyperounta.

The police have warned visibility is limited and motorists should be particularly careful.

A new yellow warning is in place for Thursday, as areas with thunderstorms are expected to be hit by hail and gale force winds.

The warning is valid from 9am till 5pm, initially to the west and later in other areas as well.

Winds on Thursday will start off as a southwest moderate to fresh breeze of 4 to 5 Beaufort, with near gale to gale force winds of 7 to 8 Beaufort during thunderstorms, over moderate to rough seas.

Temperatures will reach 23C inland and along the coast, and 12C in the highest mountains.

Thursday night will be cloudy with isolated showers along the coast.

Winds will be a southwest to west moderate to fresh breeze of 4 to 5 Beaufort, over moderate to rough seas.

Temperatures will drop to 12C inland and along the coast, and to 4C in the highest mountains.

Friday and Saturday will be cloudy with a few isolated showers, with thunderstorms returning on Sunday at noon.

Temperatures will gradually rise to the seasonal average.

The police warned motorists on Wednesday morning that heavy rainfall in the area of Kofinou is affecting visibility.

In a press release, the police urged drivers to be particularly careful, drive slowly and keep a safe distance from vehicles ahead.

Drivers are also advised to stay updated on the weather and follow police advice.

Low barometric pressure centred in the Aegean is moving southeast and affecting Cyprus, bringing local showers and isolated thunderstorms with hail across the island on Wednesday.

The meteorological service issued a yellow weather warning for severe storms on Tuesday evening, with the warning in effect from 2am until 6pm on Wednesday.

Winds on Wednesday will be a southeast to southwest gentle to moderate breeze of 3 to 4 Beaufort, gradually becoming a moderate to fresh breeze of 4 to 5 Beaufort, over moderate seas. In thunderstorm areas, winds will be near gale to gale force of 7 to 8 Beaufort.

Temperatures will reach 25C inland, 23C along the coast and 14C in the highest mountains.

Wednesday night will be cloudy with local showers and isolated thunderstorms with hail, initially along the coast and later moving inland.

Winds will be a southeast to southwest gentle to moderate breeze of 3 to 4 Beaufort in the mountains, and near gale to gale force of 7 to 8 Beaufort along the coast, over moderate seas.

Temperatures will drop to 15C inland, 16C along the coast and 7C in the highest mountains.

Rain and thunderstorms with hail will continue into Thursday, with strong winds particularly in coastal areas.

Scattered clouds on Friday and Saturday bring isolated showers, mainly in the mountains.

Temperatures on Thursday will drop slightly and remain below the seasonal average through the weekend.