Reports

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Wind

Atmospheric Pressure

Precipitation

Rainfall Events

October 2024 Compared to the Climate Means

A Very Warm and Dry October 2024

October brought generally dry warm weather to the Maltese Islands.

Having produced just 9.4 mm of precipitation, October was significantly drier than the climate norm, which stands at 84.0 mm of rainfall. This was the third consecutive year with a very dry October. It was also one of the driest on record. There was only one major rainfall event. After a day of near misses, an evening downpour on the 19^th struck the northern half of Gozo with up to 70 mm in the villages of San Lawrenz and Għarb. Surrounding localities also received a decent share of rain. 22.4 mm were measured by our rain gauge in Kerċem. There were two other days with rain, both yielding only light rain showers. Thunderstorms drifted past on one of these occasions. Localities across Malta received no heavy rainfall at all.

October 2024 was also significantly warmer than average, registering a mean temperature of 22.4°C which exceeded the climate norm by 0.7°C. A staggering twenty-six days in October registered maximum temperatures that were higher than the norm. An extensive area of high pressure (anticyclone) prevailed over eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. Troughs of low pressure (storm systems) remained stuck over the western Mediterranean and northwestern Europe. This helped maintain a persistent easterly air flow across the central Mediterranean. Apart from making October the second consecutive month with the South Southeast as the predominant wind direction, it ensured that warm air was constantly advected from regions of the Sahara towards the central Mediterranean.

October was a much calmer month than expected at this time of year, with the wind speed averaging at 8.0 km/h rather than the norm of around 13.7 km/h. October’s maximum wind gust measured 53.1 km/h (Force 7) and blew from the Southeast in the morning of the 19^th, ahead of the evening downpour.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in October 2024 (and since last October 1st):

Kerċem: 23.7 mm (53.4 mm)

Victoria: 22.6 mm (57.0 mm)

Xewkija: 7.5 mm (31.8 mm)

Nadur: 21.8 mm (53.6 mm)

Marsalforn: 16.6 mm (43.3 mm)

Mellieħa: 6.8 mm (48.6 mm)

Buġibba: 3.0 mm (54.6 mm)

Mġarr: 9.7 mm (34.9 mm)

Naxxar: 5.0 mm (71.6 mm)

Mosta: 5.9 mm (70.7 mm)

Dingli: 5.5 mm (33.5 mm)

Msida: 4.9 mm (95.4 mm)

Valletta: 4.6 mm (69.3 mm)

Imqabba: 4.6 mm (41.3 mm)

Birżebbuġa: 5.3 mm (36.2 mm)

Sliema: 6.2 mm (68.7 mm)

Fgura: 6.0 mm (89.0 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN: 9.4 mm (56.1 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Wind

Atmospheric Pressure

Precipitation

Rainfall Events

September 2024 Compared to the Climate Means

A Stifling Start to September 2024

Meteorological autumn kicked off on a stifling note. Hot temperatures coupled with very high levels of humidity and a sticky southerly wind made conditions across the Maltese Islands very uncomfortable. With temperatures at approximately 33°C and relative humidity levels consistently around 85%, real-feels were pushed into the mid to upper 40s. With a maximum temperature of 33.9°C, the 7^th was last months warmest day. With a minimum temperature of 26.9°C, the night between the 3^rd and 4^th was the year’s warmest. A cold front traversed the central Mediterranean in the early hours of the 9^th, bringing with it cooler temperatures and also the first autumn showers. This proved a turning point in meteorological conditions locally, as it was followed by consistent outbreaks of instability.

Successive episodes of strong North-westerly winds from the 9^th onward maintained fresh air across the central Mediterranean. A maximum wind gust of 45.1km/h was measured on the 14^th, during one of 6 such breezy episodes.

These outbreaks of instability brought a series of showers, some of which included localized thunderstorms, to the central Mediterranean. Whilst most localities experienced moderate showers, a handful were affected by downpours. These were mainly the harbour regions and localities of central Malta. There were 11 days of rain. Thunder was heard on 2 of these. Hail was recorded on 1. 29.7 mm of rain was measured by our weather station in Għarb. This was just over half of the climate norm. September, however, is naturally a hit-or-miss month. The lack, or abundance, of rainfall is rarely an indicator for the rain season ahead. Localities across harder-hit areas measured in excess of 60 mm of precipitation. The wettest, Msida, recorded 90.5 mm. The heaviest rainfall event occurred on the 20^th in the form of a downpour.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in September 2024 (and since last September 1st):

Għarb: 29.7 mm (29.7 mm)

Victoria: 34.4 mm (34.4 mm)

Xewkija: 24.3 mm (24.3 mm)

Nadur: 31.8 mm (31.8 mm)

Marsalforn: 26.7 mm (26.7 mm)

Mellieħa: 41.8 mm (41.8 mm)

Buġibba: 51.6 mm (51.6 mm)

Mġarr: 25.2 mm (25.2 mm)

Naxxar: 66.6 mm (66.6 mm)

Mosta: 64.8 mm (64.8 mm)

Dingli: 28.0 mm (28.0 mm)

Msida: 90.5 mm (90.5 mm)

Valletta: 64.7 mm (64.7 mm)

Imqabba: 36.7 mm (36.7 mm)

Birżebbuġa: 30.9 mm (30.9 mm)

Sliema: 62.5 mm (62.5 mm)

Fgura: 83.0 mm (83.0 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN: 46.7 mm (46.7 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Wind

Atmospheric Pressure

Precipitation

Rainfall Events

August 2024 Compared to the Climate Means

An Unstable End to Hot and Humid August

August 2024 lived up to the local saying “Awwissu x-xemx taħarqu u x-xita tmissu”. This is a local Maltese proverb describing August as being a very hot month, but also the month when we get the first rain. This was true, at least for some localities.

With an overall mean air temperature of 27.8°C, August was marginally warmer than average. This value by itself doesn’t reveal much. The first two and a half weeks of the month lived up to their expectation of being the year’s hottest period. The mean maximum temperature from the 1^st through to the 18^th was of 32.8°C. The remaining days of the month were characterized by large cumuliform clouds around lunchtime. This prevented daytime heating, allowing for less intense temperatures. The mean minimum temperature of 24.0°C was significantly higher than the norm. The mean sea surface temperature around the Maltese Islands stood at 29°C. That is some 2°C warmer than average. A very warm sea inhibits nighttime cooling of the air. Values of relative humidity were higher than the norm. This made the air feel rather clammy and uncomfortable at times. Values of relative humidity were also aggravated by rainfall on the 22^nd.

August rain is not unheard of across the Maltese Islands, particularly as the month nears its end. August 2024 was characterized by one main episode of instability and several localized showers. The day of the 28^th saw isolated thunderstorms popping around the Maltese Islands. Referred to as “popcorn” or “pop-up” cells, these clouds formed spontaneously due to ground heating under an unstable atmosphere. This was followed by a more active thunderstorm in the evening. 3000 lightning strikes were registered across the central Mediterranean in two hours. Much of its rainfall fell at sea, but it still accounted for much of the Maltese Islands’ only rainfall event of the month. Towering cumulus clouds featured on the vast majority of days towards the end of the month too The air closer to the surface of the islands was hot and humid. Simultaneously, cold air was present in the upper levels of the atmosphere. On sunlit days, the hot and humid air was forced to rise. Upon reaching the colder air aloft, moisture within the air mass condensed to form dense clouds. These clouds started forming in the late morning and dissipated by the late afternoon, generated showers for a handful of areas in central and southern Malta, particularly around Żurrieq.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in August 2024 (and since last September 1st):

Għarb: 6.6 mm (276.0 mm)

Victoria: 4.3 mm (295.9 mm)

Xewkija: 1.8 mm (185.9 mm)

Nadur: 0.8 mm (278.4 mm)

Marsalforn: 3.5 mm (216.8 mm)

Mellieħa: 0.7 mm (226.8 mm)

Buġibba: 4.9 mm (284.8 mm)

Mġarr: 1.8 mm (261.3 mm)

Naxxar: 17.8 mm (302.5 mm)

Mosta: 11.4 mm (290.2 mm)

Dingli: 14.6 mm (281.9 mm)

Msida: 10.4 mm (290.2 mm)

Valletta: 11.8 mm (229.4 mm)

Imqabba: 15.0 mm (285.3 mm)

Birżebbuġa: 0.0 mm (235.2 mm)

Sliema: 3.1 mm (256.6 mm)

Fgura: 15.0 mm (257.2 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN: 7.3 mm (262.0 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Wind

Atmospheric Pressure

Precipitation

Rainfall Events

July 2024 Compared to the Climate Means

Typical Summer Weather in JULY 2024

With a mean air temperature of 22.8°C, July was marginally warmer than average. This value by itself doesn’t reveal much. A heat spell with sweltering temperatures from the 9^th through to the 22^nd was countered by a cooler than average first week of the month. This was brought about by cooler air from the north thanks to an episode of strong Northwesterly winds. This episode accounted for the month’s highest wind gust of 49.9km/h on the 2^nd. The final nine days of the month contained a fair mix of days with temperatures above and below the norm. Once again this was the result of fresh, albeit less strong, Northwesterly winds. The maximum temperature peaked at 36.2°C on the 19^th. The fourteen-day heat spell comprised a mean maximum temperature of 34.1°C at our weather station in Għarb. Values were higher across Malta. Mean minimum temperatures experienced a gradual rise. This corresponded with a more rapid rise in mean sea surface temperature. The mean sea surface temperature around the Maltese Islands stood at 29°C. That is some 2°C warmer than average. A very warm sea inhibits nighttime cooling of the air. Values of relative humidity were higher than the norm. This made the air feel rather clammy and uncomfortable at times.

July 2024 also lived up to its expectation of being a completely dry month. No rain made it to the Maltese Islands throughout. Some mist or fog patches were observed.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in July 2024 (and since last September 1st):

Għarb: 0.0 mm (269.4 mm)

Victoria: 0.0 mm (291.6 mm)

Xewkija: 0.0 mm (184.1 mm)

Nadur: 0.0 mm (277.6 mm)

Marsalforn: 0.0 mm (213.3 mm)

Mellieħa: 0.0 mm (226.1 mm)

Buġibba: 0.0 mm (279.9 mm)

Mġarr: 0.0 mm (259.5 mm)

Naxxar: 0.0 mm (284.7 mm)

Mosta: 0.0 mm (278.8 mm)

Dingli: 0.0 mm (267.3 mm)

Msida: 0.0 mm (279.8 mm)

Valletta: 0.0 mm (217.6 mm)

Imqabba: 0.0 mm (270.3 mm)

Birżebbuġa: 0.0 mm (235.2 mm)

Sliema: 0.0 mm (253.5 mm)

Fgura: 0.0 mm (242.2 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN: 0.0 mm (254.8 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Wind

Atmospheric Pressure

Precipitation

Rainfall Events

June 2024 Compared to the Climate Means

Breezy and Dusty with Warmer Daytime Temperatures in JUNE 2024

June 2024 was off to a rather bleak start. Light rain showers accompanied by loud thunder were observed on three days in the opening week. This was accompanied by temperatures well below the climate norm. Meteorological conditions took a more seasonal turn over the course of the second week, as summer slowly gained momentum.

The mean temperature of 24.8°C was around the seasonal norm. This combined a warmer than average mean maximum temperature but a cooler than average mean minimum temperature. The latter could be attributed to the delayed heating of the sea surface. Last month’s maximum temperature stood at 34.3°C and was measured on the 20^th. Most days in the second half of the month featured 30°C + temperatures.

June is often a very dry month. This one was not one of the exceptions. 1.1 mm of rain was recorded from three days of isolated light rain showers which were accompanied by loud thunder. The rain was accompanied by copious amounts of fine desert sand. In fact, a very interesting feature last month was the persistence of airborne fine desert sand. A staggering 23 days were characterized by a thick blanket of haze from over north Africa.

June 2024 was also a very breezy month. Half of all days last month featured wind gusts of Force 5 or stronger. The wind direction varied considerably.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in June 2024 (and since last September 1st):

Għarb: 1.1 mm (269.4 mm)

Victoria: 1.7 mm (291.6 mm)

Xewkija: 0.9 mm (184.1 mm)

Nadur: 1.1 mm (277.6 mm)

Marsalforn: 1.7 mm (213.3 mm)

Mellieħa: 0.7 mm (226.1 mm)

Buġibba: 0.5 mm (279.9 mm)

Mġarr: 1.1 mm (259.5 mm)

Naxxar: 1.9 mm (284.7 mm)

Mosta: 1.0 mm (278.8 mm)

Dingli: 1.3 mm (267.3 mm)

Msida: 3.4 mm (279.8 mm)

Valletta: 1.6 mm (217.6 mm)

Imqabba: 3.5 mm (270.3 mm)

Birżebbuġa: 1.3 mm (235.2 mm)

Sliema: 2.6 mm (253.5 mm)

Fgura: 1.6 mm (242.2 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN: 1.6 mm (254.8 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Wind

Atmospheric Pressure

Precipitation

Rainfall Events

May 2024 Compared to the Climate Means

Warmer in MAY 2024

May was the fifth consecutive month this year to experience air temperatures that were higher than expected by varying degrees. The mean maximum temperature of 24.1°C was 0.2°C warmer than the norm. The mean minimum temperature of 17.1°C exceeded the norm by 1.2°C. Last month’s hottest temperature was of 32.7°C, measured on the 18^th. These very warm temperatures were not complemented by bright sunshine and light winds, however. Airborne fine desert sand was present in the skies above the central Mediterranean on a total of 12 days. There were also 4 days with rain and 2 days with thunder. The wind reached Force 5 or stronger on half of all days last month too.

There were four instances with measureable rain last month. The month of May started with a bang, with a thunderstorm lighting up the skies in the predawn hours of the 1^st. The wettest day of the month was on the 8^th. An episode of steady light to moderate rain produced some 8.5 mm of rain. A sudden upper-level thunderstorm with very little precipitation on the 19^th was also a highlight worth-mentioning from last month. There were also several instances of drops of rain mixed with fine dust. Whilst the month of May was wetter than average in parts of the Maltese Islands, including our weather station in Għarb, not the same can be said for the whole archipelago. The mean rainfall for May 2024 stood at 7.3 mm, or slightly above the mean.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in May 2024 (and since last September 1st):

Għarb: 10.4 mm (268.3 mm)

Victoria: 10.7 mm (289.9 mm)

Xewkija: 8.0 mm (183.2 mm)

Nadur: 8.2 mm (276.5 mm)

Marsalforn: 7.7 mm (211.6 mm)

Mellieħa: 7.7 mm (225.4 mm)

Buġibba: 8.8 mm (279.4 mm)

Mġarr: 11.3 mm (258.4 mm)

Naxxar: 6.6 mm (282.8 mm)

Mosta: 8.9 mm (277.8 mm)

Dingli: 7.7 mm (266.0 mm)

Msida: 5.0 mm (276.4 mm)

Valletta: 4.6 mm (216.0 mm)

Imqabba: 5.7 mm (266.8 mm)

Birżebbuġa: 4.1 mm (233.9 mm)

Sliema: 4.3 mm (250.9 mm)

Fgura: 4.0 mm (240.6 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN: 7.3 mm (253.2 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Wind

Atmospheric Pressure

Precipitation

Rainfall Events

April 2024 Compared to the Climate Means

Warmer and Drier in APRIL 2024

April, the second month of meteorological spring, was characterized by frequently changing weather conditions. Temperatures fluctuated throughout the month. The opening day of the month, April Fool’s Day, was the month’s warmest day. The mercury soared to 28.3°C. Various localities across central Malta recorded values of around 30°C on that day. The month’s first few days led many to believe that an early summer was the cards for the Maltese Islands. This notion was short-lived. The second half of the month were dominated by instability; with mild temperatures, strong winds and also some showers being experienced. In fact, various nights registered minimum temperature below 10°C.

A significant portion (10.4 mm) of the month’s total precipitation fell over just a few hours on the 24^th. However, in similar fashion to all months since summer, April 2024 was drier than average.

An episode of airborne fine desert sand particles was recorded around mid-month. This gave us the remaining two days of rainfall. Both days registered meagre rainfall and an abundance of dust deposits. This was followed by a spell of strong Northwesterly winds. The highest wind gust last month was measured at 54.7km/h on the 19^th.

As a low-pressure system settled over the islands, the weather became increasingly windy and unstable. In fact, a significant portion (9.4mm) of the month’s total precipitation fell in just a few hours on April 24th. However, similar to the preceding months, April 2024 was drier than the climatic norm. With only 13.2mm of rainfall being received, the month fell 5.5 mm short of reaching the monthly norm.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in April 2024 (and since last September 1st):

Għarb: 11.2 mm (246.7 mm)

Victoria: 11.3 mm (267.9 mm)

Xewkija: 10.8 mm (164.4 mm)

Nadur: 10.7 mm (257.6 mm)

Marsalforn: 10.5 mm (193.4 mm)

Mellieħa: 14.2 mm (203.5 mm)

Buġibba: 12.5 mm (258.1 mm)

Mġarr: 15.7 mm (231.4 mm)

Naxxar: 14.5 mm (261.7 mm)

Mosta: 15.7 mm (253.2 mm)

Dingli: 14.6 mm (243.7 mm)

Msida: 13.4 mm (258.0 mm)

Valletta: 11.2 mm (200.2 mm)

Imqabba: 13.0 mm (248.1 mm)

Birżebbuġa: 12.4 mm (217.4 mm)

Sliema: 13.4 mm (233.2 mm)

Fgura: 14.0 mm (222.6 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN: 12.9 mm (245.9 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Wind

Atmospheric Pressure

Precipitation

Rainfall Events

March 2024 Compared to the Climate Means

Warmer and Drier in MARCH 2024

March was the seventh consecutive warmer and drier than average month. The trend which characterized all of autumn and winter has continued into spring.

The mean temperature of 15.5°C was 1.5°C warmer than the norm. This comprised a mean maximum temperature of 18.7°C and mean minimum temperature of 12.3°C. These values were 1.6°C and 1.4°C warmer than average respectively.

Total rainfall at our weather station in Għarb amounted to just 11.3 mm, This was just over a fourth of the climate norm. The national mean was even lower, at 8.8 mm. This brought the total amount of rainfall in Għarb since last September 1^st to 246.7 mm. This is half of what the Maltese Islands are accustomed to. The bulk of the rainfall came in the first week of March.

The second half of the month was particularly warm, particularly due to a prevailing southerly wind. This blew desert sand from over the Sahara Desert towards our region. This sand led to widespread dense haze during Holy Week, from the 26^th through to the 29^th. Light rain on the 26^th deposited a copious amount of this sand.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in March 2024 (and since last September 1st):

Għarb: 11.3 mm (246.7 mm)

Victoria: 11.0 mm (267.9 mm)

Xewkija: 4.7 mm (164.4 mm)

Nadur: 11.4 mm (257.6 mm)

Marsalforn: 8.0 mm (193.4 mm)

Mellieħa: 9.1 mm (203.5 mm)

Buġibba: 10.0 mm (258.1 mm)

Mġarr: 8.4 mm (231.4 mm)

Naxxar: 10.4 mm (261.7 mm)

Mosta: 7.8 mm (253.2 mm)

Dingli: 5.9 mm (243.7 mm)

Msida: 8.5 mm (258.0 mm)

Valletta: 7.7 mm (200.2 mm)

Imqabba: 8.6 mm (248.1 mm)

Birżebbuġa: 10.0 mm (217.4 mm)

Sliema: 9.1 mm (233.2 mm)

Fgura: 8.4 mm (222.6 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN: 8.8 mm (233.0 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Wind

Atmospheric Pressure

Precipitation

Rainfall Events

February 2024 Compared to the Climate Means

Warmer and Drier in FEBRUARY 2024 

Overall, February was a continuation of the warmer and drier than average trend set by all previous autumn and winter months. The third and final month of meteorological winter was marked by frequently changing weather conditions due to the passage of several areas of low pressure across the central Mediterranean.

The mean temperature of 14.0°C was 1.3°C warmer than the norm. This comprised a mean maximum temperature of 16.8°C and mean minimum temperature of 11.1°C. These values were 1.2°C and 1.4°C warmer than average respectively.

Total rainfall at our weather station in Għarb amounted to 50.2 mm, or just over 80% of the climate norm. The national mean stood at 49.5 mm. This brought the total amount of rainfall since last September 1^st to 235.4 mm. This is just 53% of what the Maltese Islands are typically accustomed to. The month’s meteorological highlight, a hailstorm, struck central localities of Malta on the 11^th. This hailstorm coincided with the Sunday celebrations of Carnival. The hail was fairly large and abundant. The town of Mosta was particularly hard hit. The second half of the month brought with it the first widespread rainfall event in more than a month. The 25^th produced 23.3 mm of rain. It was Għarb’s and numerous other localities’ highest 24-hour total for February. The 21^st followed closely behind. There were 9 days of rain. 3 of these were accompanied by thunder. Hail was observed on two of them.

February 2024 was a relatively breezy, but at the same time, not too windy month. The wind reached Force 6 or stronger on 10 days. It reached Force 8 on only one of these days. This was the 25^th.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in February 2024 (and since last September 1st):

Għarb: 50.2 mm (235.4 mm)

Victoria: 57.3 mm (256.9 mm)

Xewkija: 35.9 mm (159.7 mm)

Nadur: 40.2 mm (246.2 mm)

Marsalforn: 46.0 mm (185.4 mm)

Mellieħa: 51.8 mm (194.4 mm)

Buġibba: 72.5 mm (248.1 mm)

Mġarr: 53.3 mm (223.0 mm)

Naxxar: 53.1 mm (251.3 mm)

Mosta: 51.5 mm (245.4 mm)

Dingli: 57.5 mm (237.8 mm)

Msida: 54.1 mm (249.5 mm)

Valletta: 48.1 mm (192.5 mm)

Imqabba: 46.6 mm (239.5 mm)

Birżebbuġa: 35.2 mm (207.4 mm)

Sliema: 49.5 mm (224.1 mm)

Fgura: 39.1 mm (175.1 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN: 49.5 mm (214.2 mm)