Very poor weather is being anticipated for the Maltese Islands this weekend. Easter weekend will be marred by a low pressure system traversing across northern Africa. A very strong Sirocco is being anticipated across the central Mediterranean. The term Sirocco is an all-inclusive name given to hot and subsequently humid southeast to southwest winds originating as hot, dry desert-air over Northern Africa, flowing northward into the southern Mediterranean basin. A very strong Sirocco wind occurs in advance of surface and upper level depressions moving eastward across the southern Mediterranean Sea or northern Africa. The Sirocco wind will start picking up on Thursday 18/04 (Maundy Thursday), increasing gradually on Friday 19/04 (Good Friday)  and Saturday 20/04 (Easter Saturday) before reaching its peak on Sunday 21/04 (Easter Sunday) and Monday 22/04. It is expected to reach Force 8/9 at its peak. The wind will blow a blanket of fine desert sand over the central Mediterranean. This will reduce visibility locally. The sky will be covered by an extensive grey cloud for up to four days. No rain is being anticipated. Outdoor events over these couple of days may be affected by the inclement weather. Stay tuned to our page for the latest details.

Temp ikrah ħafna huwa mistenni fil-Gżejjer Maltin fi tmiem il-ġimgħa. Il-festi tal-Ġimgħa Mqaddsa mistennija jkunu imtappna b’sistema ta’ pressjoni baxxa li se tkun għaddejha minn fuq l-Afrika ta’ fuq. Riħ qawwi ħafna mix-Xlokk (Sirocco) għandu jaħkem iċ-ċentru tal-Mediterran. It-terminu ‘Sirocco’ jirreferi għal riħ sħun u umdu mix-Xlokk għal-Lbiċ li jorriġinaw bħala arja sħuna u niexfa minn fuq id-deżert tas-Sahara lejn in-nofsinhar tal-Mediterran. Is-Sirocco huwa kkawżat meta sistema ta’ pressjoni baxxa tkun miexja lejn il-lvant minn fuq l-Afrika ta’ fuq jew in-nofsinhar tal-Mediterran. Ir-riħ mix-Xlokk se jibda jżid fil-qawwa nhar il-Ħamis 18/04 (Ħamis ix-Xirka), u jżid bilmod matul il-jiem tal-Ġimgħa 19/04 (Il-Ġimgħa l-Kbira) u s-Sibt 20/04 (Sibt il-Għid) qabel ma jilħaq l-aqwa tiegħu l-Ħadd 21/04 (L-Għid il-Kbir) u t-Tnejn 22/04. Mistennija jonfoħ b’Forza 8/9 fl-aqwa tiegħu. Ir-riħ se jġib miegħu ramel fin fl-arja minn fuq id-deżert. Din se twassal għal nuqqas fil-viżibilita. Is-sema se jkun mgħotti bi sħab griż estensiv għal madwar erbat ijiem. Mhux qed nistennew xita. Avvenimenti pjanati għal barra matul dawn il-jiem jistgħu jkunu affetwati bil-maltemp. Żuru l-paġna tagħna frekwentament għal aħħar aħhbarijiet.