End of Month Reports

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Wind

Atmospheric Pressure

Precipitation

Rainfall Events

December 2023 Compared to the Climate Means

Warmer and Drier in December 2023

 December 2023, the final month of the year and the first month of the meteorological winter, continued the trend of warmer and drier than average weather set by previous months.

With a mean temperature of 15.7°C, December 2023 was 1.2°C warmer than the norm. The anomaly was more pronounced with minimum temperatures. Whilst maximum temperatures were  0.8°C warmer than average, minimum temperatures exceeded the climatic norm by a staggering 1.8°C. The opening two days were the month’s warmest, with a 22.8°C maximum temperature being registered on the 2^nd. The coldest temperature last month was registered in the predawn hours of the 29^th, when thermometers recorded a minimum temperature of 10.3°C. Minimum temperatures exceeded the climate norm on a staggering 22 nights.

December 2023 was significantly drier than average. A meagre 37.2 mm of rain was measured by our weather station in Għarb. At 45.4 mm, the national mean was only slightly higher. This is less than half what one would expect in December. Despite this, rain was observed on a total 14 days. The vast majority of these yielded less than 1 mm each, with light rain being the most common form of precipitation in December 2023. There were three main episodes of instability. The one from the 16^th through to the 18^th accounted for the month’s only day to feature thunder and hail. With a total of 17.6 mm over 24 hours, the 18^th was last month’s wettest day.

There were also three episodes of strong wind. These coincided with the rainy days; one at the start of the month, another halfway through the month and another just before Christmas Day. The highest gust reached Force 8 from the Northwest on the 22^nd of the month.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in December 2023 (and since last December 1st):

Għarb: 37.2 mm (130.2 mm)

Victoria: 36.8 mm (126.0 mm)

Xewkija: 25.2 mm (83.8 mm)

Nadur: 39.3 mm (140.7 mm)

Marsalforn: 25.8 mm (91.8 mm)

Mellieħa: 27.4 mm (101.6 mm)

Buġibba: 47.4 mm (133.6 mm)

Mġarr: 45.9 mm (137.5 mm)

Naxxar: 57.1 mm (152.1 mm)

Mosta: 67.2 mm (150.0 mm)

Dingli: 62.6 mm (155.6 mm)

Msida: 43.7 mm (141.6 mm)

Valletta: 27.2 mm (104.1 mm)

Imqabba: 74.2 mm (159.0 mm)

Birżebbuġa: 46.6 mm (135.6 mm)

Sliema: 52.1 mm (134.4 mm)

Fgura: 56.2 mm (139.9 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN: 45.4 mm (130.4 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Wind

Atmospheric Pressure

Precipitation

Rainfall Events

November 2023 Compared to the Climate Means

Very Warm in November 2023

November 2023 brought very warm temperatures to the Maltese Islands. Overall, the mean temperature of 19.6°C was a staggering 1.6°C above the climate norm. This comprised a 1.9°C margin with mean minimum temperatures and an anomaly of 1.4°C with mean maximum temperatures. The first day of November was the hottest day of the month ever recorded. The mercury at our station in Għarb peaked at 26.9°C. The corresponding value at the Malta International Airport was far higher, at 29.1°C. Temperatures exceeded the climate norm on most days through the first half of the month. This was accompanied by the continuation of a shortage of rain that had gripped the Maltese Islands throughout October.

The situation took a more seasonal turn as November started winding down. Temperatures cooled down to below 20°C for the first time. The month’s coolest temperature was measured in the early hours of the 24^th, at 11.7°C. Precipitation also returned to our shores at this time. The 22^nd  brought with it the first widespread rainfall since springtime. With 31.3 mm on the day, it was also the month’s highest 24-hour rainfall total. The rainy spell towards the end of November quenched some of the countryside’s thirst. The 86.0 mm of rainfall measured last month fell just short of the climate mean. Almost three-quarters of that amount fell during two rainfall events. There were 9 days of rain. 4 of these were marked by thunder. Hail was registered on 1 of these.

There was one gale event. This occurred on the 25^th with the passage of a violent cold front. The highest wind speed on the day measured 66.0 km/h.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in November 2023 (and since last November 1st):

Għarb: 86.0 mm (93.0 mm)

Victoria: 84.4 mm (89.2 mm)

Xewkija: 50.0 mm (58.6 mm)

Nadur: 92.0 mm (101.4 mm)

Marsalforn: 58.2 mm (66.0 mm)

Mellieħa: 52.2 mm (74.2 mm)

Buġibba: 61.3 mm (86.2 mm)

Mġarr: 70.2 mm (91.6 mm)

Naxxar: 70.2 mm (95.0 mm)

Mosta: 56.9 mm (82.8 mm)

Dingli: 80.5 mm (93.0 mm)

Msida: 53.6 mm (97.9 mm)

Valletta: 46.5 mm (76.9 mm)

Imqabba: 59.0 mm (84.8 mm)

Birżebbuġa: 62.8 mm (89.0 mm)

Sliema: 47.0 mm (82.3 mm)

Fgura: 49.4 mm (83.7 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN: 63.5 mm (85.0 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Wind

Atmospheric Pressure

Precipitation

Rainfall Events

October 2023 Compared to the Climate Means

October 2023 was Extremely Warm and Driest in a Century

The second month of meteorological autumn, October 2023, was the warmest in decades and the driest in a century.

The overall mean temperature of 23.3°C registered by  our weather station, was a staggering 1.6°C warmer than the climate norm. The mean maximum temperature of 27.1°C exceeded the climate norm by 2.3°C! The mean minimum temperature of 19.6°C was 1.1°C warmer than in a typical October. With a maximum temperature of 29.7°C, the warmest day last October was the 10^th. A spell of very warm temperatures was also recorded from the 18^th till the 21^st. Temperature values at the MetOffice in Malta International Airport were warm enough to be classified as a heatwave. The night from the 19^th through to the 20^th broke the record for the warmest October night on record. The minimum temperature that night was at a summery 25.2°C.

There was only one rainy episode of instability last month. This was on the 1^st and brought a localized shower to parts of central Malta. Dew produced some measurable precipitation on a number of nights in the second half of October. Total rainfall at our weather station stood at 0.3 mm. This was a trace compared to the 86.4 mm expected in a typical October. October is normally the third wettest month of the year.

October 2023 was also marked by a lack of wind. There was also one episode of strong winds. This spanned the 20^th and 21^st with a very warm Southerly wind. The highest wind gust was registered at 45.6km/h. The mean wind speed last month was of 7.5km/h. Southerly winds were by far the predominant wind directions last month, blowing on more than half of all the days.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in October 2023 (and since last October 1st):

Għarb: 0.3 mm (7.0 mm)

Victoria: 0.0 mm (4.8 mm)

Xewkija: 0.0 mm (8.6 mm)

Nadur: 0.0 mm (9.4 mm)

Marsalforn: 0.0 mm (7.8 mm)

Mellieħa: 0.0 mm (22.0 mm)

Buġibba: 0.0 mm (24.9 mm)

Mġarr: 0.0 mm (21.4 mm)

Naxxar: 0.0 mm (24.8 mm)

Mosta: 0.3 mm (25.9 mm)

Dingli: 0.0 mm (12.5 mm)

Msida: 0.0 mm (44.3 mm)

Valletta: 0.0 mm (30.4 mm)

Imqabba: 0.3 mm (25.8 mm)

Birżebbuġa: 1.0 mm (26.2 mm)

Sliema: 0.0 mm (35.3 mm)

Fgura: 0.0 mm (34.3 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN: 0.1 mm (21.5 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Wind

Atmospheric Pressure

Precipitation

September 2023 Compared to the Climate Means

Drier in September 2023 

September 2023, the first month of meteorological autumn, was significantly drier than the norm. Temperatures were marginally below average for the time of year.

The mean temperature of 24.9°C measured by  our weather station in Għarb, was 0.2°C cooler than the climate norm. This comprised a mean maximum temperature of 28.4°C and a mean minimum temperature of 21.3°C which were 0.1°C and 0.3°C below the norm respectively. The month’s hottest day was the 19^th. The mercury soared to 31.4°C on the day. The day was part of a week of above-average temperatures. This heat spell didn’t qualify to become a heat wave. The coolest temperature last month was measured at 18.1°C in the early hours of the 28^th.

There were two distinct episodes of instability during September 2023. The first was the one associated with Storm ‘Daniel’ from the 5^th through to the 9^th whilst the next was on the 25^th and 26^th. Both largely affected Malta, leaving Gozo almost completely dry. The national mean for the month of September stood at 21.4 mm, significantly lower than the climate norm of 55.9 mm. Mist or fog patches along with dew were observed on a number of mornings.

There were two main windy episodes. Both corresponded with the only two unstable zones that yielded precipitation. The highest wind gust was measured at 43.5km/h (Force 6) from a Northwesterly direction on the 23^rd.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in September 2023 (and since last September 1st):

Għarb: 6.7 mm (6.7 mm)

Victoria: 4.8 mm (4.8 mm)

Xewkija: 8.6 mm (8.6 mm)

Nadur: 9.4 mm (9.4 mm)

Marsalforn: 7.8 mm (7.8 mm)

Mellieħa: 22.0 mm (22.0 mm)

Buġibba: 24.9 mm (24.9 mm)

Mġarr: 21.4 mm (21.4 mm)

Naxxar: 24.8 mm (24.8 mm)

Mosta: 25.6 mm (25.6 mm)

Dingli: 12.5 mm (12.5 mm)

Msida: 44.3 mm (44.3 mm)

Valletta: 30.4 mm (30.4 mm)

Imqabba: 25.5 mm (25.5 mm)

Birżebbuġa: 25.2 mm (25.2 mm)

Sliema: 35.3 mm (35.3 mm)

Fgura: 34.3 mm (34.3 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN: 21.4 mm (21.4 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Wind

Atmospheric Pressure

Precipitation

August 2023 Compared to the Climate Means

Relief in August 2023

After a record-breaking 10-day heat wave in July, August 2023 proved a breath of fresh air for the Maltese Islands. With a mean temperature of 26.4°C at our weather station in Għarb, last month was 1.2°C cooler than the climate norm. The mean maximum temperature of 30.0°C was a staggering 1.8°C below the norm. The mean minimum temperature of 22.8°C, on the other hand, was 0.5°C below the average. The maximum temperature last month peaked at 32.9°C on the 23^rd. Elsewhere in the Maltese Islands, the hottest days over the course of last August registered a maximum temperature of ‘only’ 35°C, a far cry from what these values normally stand at in a normal August. Maximum temperatures failed to exceed the 30°C mark on half of all days last month. There were also two nights where the minimum temperature dropped to below 20°C. Not all was perfect, however. Values of relative humidity were higher than the norm, particularly after the thunderstorm on the 21^st. This made the air feel rather clammy and uncomfortable at times.

August rain is not unheard of across the Maltese Islands, particularly as the month nears its end. August 2023 was characterised by two separate rainfall events. There were two separate isolated thunderstorms on the 21^st. One struck Gozo in the predawn hours. Another formed over central Malta in the daylight hours. 9.1 mm of rain were measured by our rain gauge in Għarb on the day. Whilst this was to be the only day with rain across Gozo, another stronger thunderstorm struck Malta on the month’s final day. August went out with a bang for some localities, particularly Mosta, where over 40 mm of rain were measured.

There were two outbreaks of strong wind, one towards the beginning and another towards the end. The highest wind gust was recorded on the 5^th, and measured at 49.9 km/h (almost Force 7) from a Northwesterly direction.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in August 2023 (and since last September 1st):

Għarb: 9.1 mm (585.7 mm)

Victoria: 6.1 mm (514.3 mm)

Xewkija: 4.6 mm (509.8 mm)

Nadur: 2.3 mm (508.1 mm)

Marsalforn: 1.5 mm (534.9 mm)

Mellieħa: 17.8 mm (490.9 mm)

Buġibba: 18.3 mm (570.0 mm)

Mġarr: 37.5 mm (546.8 mm)

Naxxar: 37.4 mm (687.1 mm)

Mosta: 45.4 mm (662.4 mm)

Dingli: 7.6 mm (544.8 mm)

Msida: 14.3 mm (719.1 mm)

Valletta: 7.3 mm (535.8 mm)

Imqabba: 8.6 mm (596.4 mm)

Żabbar: 8.7 mm (591.9 mm)

Birżebbuġa: 7.6 mm (493.9 mm)

Sliema: 11.2 (687.5 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN: 14.4 mm (575.3 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Wind

Atmospheric Pressure

Precipitation

July 2023 Compared to the Climate Means

Sweltering in July 2023

The first few days of July 2023 continued where June left off. It didn’t take long for this state of affairs to change, however.

The mean temperature of 28.2°C, registered at our weather station in Għarb, exceeded the norm by 1.2°C. The mean maximum temperature of 32.9°C surpassed the norm by 1.4°C. The mean minimum temperature of 23.4°C, on the other hand, stood a full 1°C above the norm. Being the smaller island and under a stronger moderating effect of the sea, Gozo was spared the worst of the heat. Temperature values measured in Malta painted a far more worrying picture. Mean temperatures there were overall a staggering 3.5°C over the climate average. This made it officially the hottest July on record.

Using the national criteria for a heatwave, we conclude that the Maltese Islands experienced one heatwave last month. Lasting from 16^th July through to 25^th July (both days included), it proved to be record-breaking too. Whilst the temperature peaked at 39.8°C across Gozo, the maximum temperature across central Malta spiked to 42.7°C on the 24^th. This was the joint hottest temperature measured during July along with the record set back on 9^th July 1988. A deeper look into readings from central Malta show how the air temperature exceeded 40°C on a record-breaking six consecutive days. These are 41.0°C on the 20^th, 40.2°C on the 21^st, 41.1°C on the 22^nd, 42.3°C on the 23^rd, 42.7°C on the 24^th and 40.0°C on the 25^th. July’s long-lasting heat wave also broke the record for the warmest night. The minimum temperature on the night between the 24^th and 25^th remained at a hot 30.6°C at the airport. The value in Għarb on the night was of 28.5°C.

July 2023 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 prior to and during the heat wave.

The wind only reached Force 6 or stronger on two days, one at the beginning and the other towards the end. The highest wind gusts, at 54.7km/h (Force 7), was recorded on the 26^th.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in July 2023 (and since last September 1st):

Għarb: 0.0 mm (576.6 mm)

Victoria: 0.0 mm (508.2 mm)

Xewkija: 0.0 mm (505.2 mm)

Nadur: 0.0 mm (505.8 mm)

Marsalforn: 0.0 mm (533.4 mm)

Mellieħa: 0.0 mm (473.1 mm)

Buġibba: 0.0 mm (551.7 mm)

Mġarr: 0.0 mm (509.3 mm)

Naxxar: 0.0 mm (649.7 mm)

Mosta: 0.0 mm (617.0 mm)

Dingli: 0.0 mm (537.2 mm)

Msida: 0.0 mm (704.8 mm)

Valletta: 0.0 mm (528.5 mm)

Imqabba: 0.0 mm (587.8 mm)

Żabbar: 0.0 mm (583.2 mm)

Birżebbuġa: 0.0 mm (486.3 mm)

Sliema: 0.0 (676.3 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN: 0.0 mm (560.8 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Wind

Atmospheric Pressure

Precipitation

Rainfall Events

June 2023 Compared to the Climate Means

Significantly Cooler in June 2023

An overall unstable June with air temperatures that were cooler than the norm and more rain than average kicked off the meteorological summer on the Maltese Islands.

Throughout June, the air temperature ranged from a 16.0°C minimum on the 3^rd to a 31.9°C maximum on the 21^st. Localities across central Malta recorded higher temperature values on that day. Last month’s mean minimum temperature of 19.7°C was just a fraction of a degree cooler than the norm. The anomaly in mean maximum temperatures was steeper, with the 26.6°C value for June 2023 falling a staggering 1.9°C below the climate norm. June 2023 was a breath of fresh air from the previous two record-breaking Junes.

June’s 5.8 mm of precipitation spilled over the climate norm by almost 2 mm. Some localities were even wetter. Rain fell on four days. Two of these were accompanied by thunder. All wet days occurred during a particularly unstable first half of the month. The unstable start to the month took many by surprise, but meteorological records show that a wet start to summer is not that uncommon. It was still, however, the first June in four years to register any rain. The meteorological situation stabilized somewhat in the final two weeks of the month, with the showery weather giving way to longer hours of sunshine.

The fact that showers persisted well into the first half of June had a noticeable impact on most meteorological parameters. The rain recharged the soil with moisture. Subsequent sunshine evaporated this, elevating levels of humidity. In fact, relative humidity was a staggering 10% higher than the norm. This prevented air temperatures from soaring to extreme levels. In fact, no heat spells were registered in June. The rain was also heavy enough to cause runoff from roads and valleys. This created an influx of colder fresh water in most bays, cooling down the sea slightly. The late showers also had a visible impact on vegetation. Wild small trees and bushes were given that much-needed boost of surface water ahead of the dry season. Mature trees will utilize this later on in the season. Wilting will take longer to occur.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in June 2023 (and since last September 1st):

Għarb: 5.8 mm (576.6 mm)

Victoria: 6.6 mm (508.2 mm)

Xewkija: 8.4 mm (505.2 mm)

Nadur: 8.5 mm (505.8 mm)

Marsalforn: 9.2 mm (533.4 mm)

Mellieħa: 3.2 mm (473.1 mm)

Buġibba: 4.9 mm (551.7 mm)

Mġarr: 3.7 mm (509.3 mm)

Naxxar: 12.2 mm (649.7 mm)

Mosta: 11.4 mm (617.0 mm)

Dingli: 5.5 mm (537.2 mm)

Msida: 3.8 mm (704.8 mm)

Valletta: 1.4 mm (528.5 mm)

Imqabba: 5.4 mm (587.8 mm)

Żabbar: 2.2 mm (583.2 mm)

Birżebbuġa: 3.4 mm (486.3 mm)

Sliema: 2.0 (676.3 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN: 5.7 mm (560.8 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Wind

Atmospheric Pressure

Precipitation

Rainfall Events

May 2023 Compared to the Climate Means

Colder and Wetter in May 2023

May 2023 maintained its cool, with the overall mean temperature being a full degree colder than the climate norm. The mean maximum temperature over the course of last month was a staggering 2.0°C below the mean. In fact, the mean maximum temperature of 23.9°C was reached or exceeded on only 6 days out of the 31 in May. Mean minimum temperatures, on the other hand, were more conforming with the value for a typical May. They exceeded the mean by a fraction of a degree. Unseasonal anticyclones persisted over the British Isles and Scandinavia throughout the month, deflecting zones of instability towards our region of the Mediterranean. This instability brought with it frequent blasts of colder air from the north, allowing temperatures to remain colder than average throughout, especially during daylight hours.

The total rainfall measured at our weather station in Għarb stood at 23.6 mm, or more than double the mean for this time of year. The number of days with rain and thunderstorms at our weather station, at 6 and 4 respectively, were also greater than the norm. Rain was also recorded in other localities on an additional 6 days, raising the total number of days with at least one shower somewhere around the Maltese Islands to 12. This observation is also the result of prevailing anticyclones over northern Europe.

A number of windy days dotted May. Winds were significantly stronger than the average for May. The wind reached Force 6 or higher on 11 days. This was a consequence of frequent low pressure systems of north African origin. The wind blew mainly from the Southeast quadrant on the blustery days. In fact, the number of days characterized by airborne fine desert sand throughout the month were numerous. The strongest wind gust, registered on the 19^th, was of ‘only’ 48.3 km/h.

An impressive 7 low pressure systems traversed the central Mediterranean over the course of May 2023. This is reflected in the mean atmospheric pressure reading of 1012.8hPa. This value is just over 3hPa below the historical mean. The reading dropped to below 1000hPa on two separate occasions. The lowest, on the 20^th, was registered at 998.1hPa.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in May 2023 (and since last September 1st):

Għarb: 23.6 mm (570.8 mm)

Victoria: 18.1 mm (501.6 mm)

Xewkija: 19.0 mm (496.8 mm)

Nadur: 29.2 mm (497.3 mm)

Marsalforn: 29.5 mm (494.7 mm)

Mellieħa: 27.8 mm (524.2 mm)

Buġibba: 24.2 mm (469.9 mm)

Mġarr: 24.6 mm (546.8 mm)

Naxxar: 20.8 mm (505.6 mm)

Mosta: 22.3 mm (605.6 mm)

Dingli: 24.0 mm (531.7 mm)

Msida: 17.3 mm (701.0 mm)

Valletta: 28.3 mm (527.1 mm)

Imqabba: 21.7 mm (582.4 mm)

Żabbar: 19.6 mm (581.0 mm)

Birżebbuġa: 17.4 mm (482.9 mm)

Sliema: 26.9 (647.3 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN: 23.2 mm (555.1 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Wind

Atmospheric Pressure

Precipitation

Rainfall Events

April 2023 Compared to the Climate Means

Colder and Wetter in April 2023

Stormy weather ushered in April, the second month of meteorological spring. The 2^nd day of the month accounted for the highest value of precipitation in a day. A period of steady rainfall produced 15.8 mm of rainfall on the day. Another two days of rain followed that same week, with the 5^th also being the only day of the month with thunder. There was only one day with rain in the rest of the month. Despite the number of rainy days being less than the norm, the total rainfall measured over the course of April 2023 stood at 29.1 mm, 75% more than what one would normally anticipate.

It was also a colder than average month. The mean temperature of 15.7°C was 0.7°C cooler than the climate norm. The difference from the mean was by far more prominent in the mean maximum temperatures. The mean maximum temperature of 18.7°C was just over a degree cooler. Much of April kept locals guessing when the first taste of spring would be felt. In fact, the minimum temperature in the early hours of the 7^th dipped to a chilly 6.7°C. The final week and a half of the month brought with it some noticeably warmer temperatures, however, with the 20^th accounting for April 2023’s warmest maximum temperature of 22.5°C.

No gale events were recorded last month. The highest wind gust registered at 52km/h (Force 7) from a north-westerly direction. This was after the passage of a cold front on the 3^rd. The wind reached Force 6 on only three other occasions in the following three weeks, culminating in a significantly calm month overall.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in April 2023 (and since last September 1st):

Għarb: 29.1 mm (547.2 mm)

Victoria: 24.7 mm (483.5 mm)

Xewkija: 25.6 mm (478.4 mm)

Nadur: 23.1 mm (470.1 mm)

Marsalforn: 20.9 mm (494.7 mm)

Mellieħa: 24.4 mm (442.1 mm)

Buġibba: 23.4 mm (522.4 mm)

Mġarr: 33.2 mm (481.0 mm)

Naxxar: 27.7 mm (616.7 mm)

Mosta: 29.4 mm (591.8 mm)

Dingli: 31.9 mm (507.7 mm)

Msida: 24.4 mm (683.7 mm)

Valletta: 17.2 mm (498.8 mm)

Imqabba: 30.0 mm (560.7 mm)

Żabbar: 23.3 mm (561.4 mm)

Birżebbuġa: 24.3 mm (465.5 mm)

Sliema: 24.8 (647.4 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN: 25.7 mm (532.4 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Wind

Atmospheric Pressure

Precipitation

Rainfall Events

March 2023 Compared to the Climate Means

Warmer and Drier in March 2023

The warmer and drier than average weather that characterized March 2023 gave the Maltese Islands a taste of spring.

The mean air temperature of 14.4°C surpassed the climate norm by 0.4°C. With a maximum temperature of 20.2°C, the 26^th registered last month’s warmest day. Despite temperatures registering an overall warmer than average trend, some nights were considerably chilly. The coldest night, that of the 18^th, registered a minimum temperature of 5.9°C.

March 2023 lacked rainfall. The 11.6 mm of precipitation measured last month amounted for just over a quarter of the climate norm of 41.0 mm. The national mean stood at a poorer 5.4 mm. The rain fell over two days, the 2^nd and the 3^rd. One of them was a brief intense thundery shower with hail. A series of showers were observed across the Maltese Islands in the opening five days of the month. A trace of dusty rain was also reported around the 20^th.

March 2023 wasn’t a particularly windy month. The highest wind gust of 56.3 km/h from a West Northwesterly direction was registered on the 15^th. At least three other windy days were noted.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in March 2023 (and since last September 1st):

Għarb: 11.6 mm (518.1 mm)

Victoria: 8.2 mm (458.8 mm)

Xewkija: 8.4 mm (452.8 mm)

Nadur: 8.8 mm (447.0 mm)

Marsalforn: 6.4 mm (473.8 mm)

Mellieħa: 3.6 mm (417.7 mm)

Buġibba: 4.3 mm (499.0 mm)

Mġarr: 4.4 mm (447.8 mm)

Naxxar: 5.1 mm (589.0 mm)

Mosta: 6.1 mm (562.4 mm)

Dingli: 5.2 mm (475.8 mm)

Msida: 4.3 mm (659.3 mm)

Valletta: 3.5 mm (481.6 mm)

Imqabba: 1.8 mm (530.7 mm)

Żabbar: 2.8 mm (538.1 mm)

Birżebbuġa: 3.2 mm (441.2 mm)

Sliema: 4.7 (622.6 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN: 5.4 mm (506.7 mm)