Figure 1 displays the mean annual precipitation over the 1970/71-1999/2000 period. As previously explained, the maximum precipitation levels are recorded in the Troodos mountainous area with values reaching 1000 mm/year at the top. The area receiving more than 600 mm of rainfall per year is limited to elevations greater than 500 metres a.m.s.l. on the south-western slope of the mountain and to elevations greater than 800 metres a.m.s.l. on the north-eastern slope.

Figure 1: 1970/71-1999/2000 mean annual precipitation in mm

The distribution of the precipitation through the year is similar all over the island (Figure 2). Precipitation is recorded during the winter months, whereas the summer months are dry. Mean precipitation increases quickly from August to a maximum in December in the eastern hydrological regions (6, 7, 8). In the central (3, 9) and western (1, 2) hydrological regions the mean precipitation reaches the maximum levels in December and January. The decrease of the mean precipitation is slower than the increase, it spans over eight months from December-January to a minimum in July-August.

Figure 2: Average distribution of monthly precipitation through the year for the period 1971-2000