End of Month Reports

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Wind

Atmospheric Pressure

Precipitation

Rainfall Events

April 2022 Compared to the Climate Means

COOLER and DRIER in APRIL 2022 

April 2022 maintained the trend of cooler than average weather set at the start of winter. The transition to the warmer months is slower and continues to lag slightly behind. With a mean temperature of 15.6°C, April 2022 was half a degree cooler than the norm, with the difference from the mean being more pronounced in maximum temperatures. The temperature started exceeding the 20°C mark towards the last week of the month. The coldest temperature last month was measured in the very early hours of the 11^th, when the mercury dipped to 6.6°C. This was the only ‘extreme’ recorded in April 2022.

April 2022 became the fourth consecutive month to register below-average precipitation. The meagre 4.7 mm measured by our weather station was a mere 20% of the climate norm. At 2.0 mm, the national precipitation total stood at an even lower level. This fell over six days. Much of it was in the form of light rain that deposited fine desert sand. All zones of low pressure that traversed the central Mediterranean last month were of Sahara Desert origins. In fact, half of all days in April 2022 were characterized by airborne fine desert sand.

The wind blew from the Sirocco quarter for much of the month as well. This too is a tell-tale sign of the presence of north African low pressure systems. The wind gusted up to Force 6 or stronger on a staggering 12 days. The vast majority of these windy days were characterized by the Sirocco. The highest wind gust was registered at 62.8 km/h on the 14^th, during a gale that forced the cancellation of a number of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday plans.

The meteorological situation last month was as one would expect in a typical April. The only difference was the enhancement of weather conditions. A number of ridges of high pressure developed across the central Mediterranean from time to time. These were very short-lived as they were repeatedly forced to dissipate or migrate eastwards by the zones of low pressure that persistently emerged from the Gulf of Gabes.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in April 2022 (and since last September 1st):

Għarb: 4.7 mm (556.2 mm)

Victoria: 4.4 mm (576.8 mm)

Xewkija: 0.5 mm (534.6 mm)

Nadur: 3.0 mm (610.5mm)

Marsalforn: 3.4 mm (613.4 mm)

Mellieħa: 1.0 mm (537.4 mm)

Buġibba: 1.6 mm (610.0 mm)

Mġarr: 1.3 mm (579.3 mm)

Naxxar: 3.6 mm (622.9 mm)

Mosta: 2.8 mm (526.1 mm)

Dingli: 1.4 mm (481.3 mm)

Msida: 0.8 mm (584.2 mm)

Valletta: 0.3 mm (363.3 mm)

Imqabba: 1.5 mm (564.8 mm)

Żabbar: 1.0 mm (583.5 mm)

Birżebbuġa: 1.5 mm (422.7 mm)

Sliema: 1.3 mm (568.3 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN: 2.0 mm (549.5 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Wind

Atmospheric Pressure

Precipitation

Rainfall Events

March 2022 Compared to the Climate Means

SIGNIFICANTLY COLDER in MARCH 2022

March 2022 continued the colder than average trend set in previous months. In fact, March turned out to be as cold as February. The mean temperature of 12.4°C was a staggering 1.6°C colder than the norm for this time of year. The mean maximum of 15.5°C and mean minimum of 9.4°C were 1.8°C and 1.3°C colder than the climate mean respectively. March 2022 was the coldest March in decades. The mercury dipped to a chilly 3.9°C in the early hours of the 25^th, making that night one of the coldest March nights on record. Less than a week later, at around noon on the 31^st, the Maltese Islands experienced one of the warmest March days in recent years. The temperature spiked to 24.6°C at our weather station on the final day of the month. Values were even higher in areas further inland. Minimum temperatures dropped to below the 10°C mark on a total of eighteen nights. The only average or slightly warmer than average days came in the month’s final week, indicating the much anticipated start of spring’s gradual rise in temperatures.

Although rainfall over the course of March 2022 was lower than the average, there was still a marked improvement over the previous month. The 21.2 mm accumulated by the end of the month were around half the total rainfall expected in a typical March. The bulk fell in a rainy episode halfway through the month (12^th and 13^th). The rest were produced by sporadic rain showers. Much of these showers deposited fine desert sand brought over by a predominant Sirocco wind.

Half of last month featured winds blowing from the Sirocco quarter. In fact, most days during March 2022 featured a hazy sky. This was due to the abundant fine desert sand blown across the Mediterranean by the southerly winds. Last month’s highlight was a gale-force wind from the East Southeast on the 18^th and 19^th.

The meteorological situation across Europe was fairly uniform last month. The meteorological situation over eastern Europe was characterized by an unusually strong and extensive area of high pressure. This anticyclone had been stationary over the region for a long while. Such a meteorological setting helped maintain a persistent stream of cold air from Siberia all the way to the central Mediterranean, keeping temperatures locally below the climatic norm. Further to this, a fairly stable atmosphere across our area deviated most rain-bearing systems to the north, maintaining the drier weather. The colder air further aggravated the situation. Things took a turn to a more seasonal meteorological setting by the final week of the month. Systems of low pressure of north African origin started developing over Tunisia. These traversed the central Mediterranean bringing warmer temperatures, elevated levels of humidity, dustier air and southerly winds.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in March 2022 (and since last September 1st):

Għarb: 21.2 mm (551.5 mm)

Victoria: 23.7 mm (572.5 mm)

Xewkija: 18.7 mm (534.1 mm)

Nadur: 23.9 mm (607.5mm)

Marsalforn: 15.8 mm (610.0 mm)

Mellieħa: 19.0 mm (536.4 mm)

Buġibba: 22.0 mm (608.4 mm)

Mġarr: 21.8 mm (578.0 mm)

Naxxar: 22.7 mm (619.3 mm)

Mosta: 20.0 mm (523.4 mm)

Dingli: 23.5 mm (479.9 mm)

Msida: 20.4 mm (583.4 mm)

Valletta: 14.8 mm (363.0 mm)

Imqabba: 30.2 mm (563.3 mm)

Żabbar: 17.1 mm (582.5 mm)

Birżebbuġa: 14.3 mm (421.2 mm)

Sliema: 15.7 mm (567.0 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN: 20.3 mm (547.5 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Atmospheric Pressure

Wind

Precipitation

Rainfall Events

February 2022 Compared to the Climate Means

Significsntly Drier in February 2022

Rain over the course of February 2022 was very scarce. In fact, it was among the driest ever. Total daily rainfall exceeded 1.0 mm on only one day. This was on the 1^st, when 3.3 mm were measured at our weather station. By the end of the month, 5.0 mm of rain had accumulated. This was from isolated light rain and/or dewfall on a number of days. February 2022 received less than 10% of the rain one would expect over the course of a typical February. No locality in the Maltese Islands accumulated more than 10 mm of rain last month. This serious lack of rainfall may be blamed on successive zones of high pressure that characterised the meterorological situation around the western Mediterranean. This prevented low pressure systems from reaching the central Mediterranean. The sheer stability that dominated much of last month was reflected in readings of atmospheric pressure and wind speed. Readings of atmospheric pressure were frequently above average for this time of year. No major gales were experienced last month. February is normally a very windy month locally.

Temperatures were overall cooler than average. This could be due to persistent zones of high pressure over central and eastern Europe. These patterns of atmospheric pressure direct cold air from northern Europe towards the Mediterranean. A number of nights were characterized by clear skies and a lack of wind. Clear skies at night allow heat to escape into the atmosphere, allowing air temperatures to dip. The coldest temperature last month was measured at 5.3°C, in the early hours of the 9^th. A total of twelve nights registered minimum temperatures below the climate norm. Overall, with a difference of – 0.3°C from the mean, air temperatures were only marginally colder.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in February 2022 (and since last September 1st):

Għarb: 5.0 mm (530.3 mm)

Victoria: 5.8 mm (548.8 mm)

Xewkija: 5.6 mm (515.4 mm)

Nadur: 2.3 mm (583.6mm)

Marsalforn: 5.1 mm (594.2 mm)

Mellieħa: 4.9 mm (517.4 mm)

Buġibba: 5.2 mm (586.4 mm)

Mġarr: 3.6 mm (556.2 mm)

Naxxar: 5.8 mm (596.6 mm)

Mosta: 3.9 mm (503.4 mm)

Dingli: 5.9 mm (456.4 mm)

Msida: 5.6 mm (563.0 mm)

Valletta: 6.4 mm (348.2 mm)

Imqabba: 3.3 mm (533.1 mm)

Żabbar: 7.8 mm (565.4 mm)

Birżebbuġa: 3.1 mm (406.9 mm)

Sliema: 3.5 mm (551.3 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN: 4.9 mm (527.2 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

 Atmospheric Pressure

 Wind

 Precipitation

Rainfall Events

January 2022 Compared to the Climate Means

Colder than Average in January 2022

The new year started off on a relatively warm note, with the month’s air temperature peaking at 18.2°C on the fifth day. Temperatures were consistently above average throughout the first week of January. From then on, a drop in temperatures was registered. The synoptic situation for much of January 2022 was marked by persistent high pressure across western Europe and successive zones of low pressure over the Balkans. This meteorological caused a series of cold snaps to traverse the central and eastern Mediterranean, with the more intense ones coming towards the end of the month. Last month’s mean minimum temperature was calculated at 8.9°C. The coldest night was on the 25^th, when the minimum temperature dipped to a frosty 2.9°C. This was the coldest night in seven years. The 25^th also marked the first time in five years that the maximum temperature failed to reach the 10°C level.

Overall, January 2022 was a drier than average month. Rainfall totals varied widely, however, with a number of localities in fact registering rainfall totals which exceeded the climate norm. Gozo and the western half of Malta were the drier regions. Our weather station registered a poor total of 35.1 mm over the course of the month. Localities across northern and central Malta were luckier in terms of rainfall, with a few localities almost reaching the 100 mm mark. It is worth noting how on the days that Gozo and western Malta remained relatively dry, but localities elsewhere received abundant rainfall, the wind was blowing from a predominantly North Northwest direction. This creates a form of rain shadow whose impact is felt far more profoundly across these areas. A kind of rain shadow forms over the Maltese Islands when the wind across the central Mediterranean blows from a northerly direction. Cold northerly air moving towards the Maltese Islands encounters Sicily (including Mount Etna which stands at 3,326 meters above sea-level) on its way. The advancing air is forced to rise and condense, producing rain-bearing clouds over Sicily. Precipitation occurs and the moisture carried by the cold northerly air is lost. As the cold northerly air advances further south, the stretch of sea between Sicily and the Maltese Islands is not wide enough for the air to recharge with moisture. As a result, the air is too dry to form any rain-bearing clouds locally. As a result, very little rain occurs over the Maltese Islands. That is why a North wind rarely brings any rain to our shores. As explained earlier, the rain shadow effect produced when the wind blows from the North Northwest is felt more over Gozo and western Malta.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in January 2022 (and since last September 1st):

Għarb: 35.1 mm (525.3 mm)

Marsalforn: 43.2 mm (589.1 mm)

Victoria: 45.3 mm (548.8 mm)

Xewkija: 41.4 (509.8 mm)

Nadur: 48.9 mm (581.3 mm)

Mellieħa: 36.1 mm (512.5 mm)

Buġibba: 73.3 mm (581.2 mm)

Naxxar: 98.3 mm (590.8 mm)

Dingli: 56.6 mm (450.5 mm)

Mġarr: 74.4 mm (552.6 mm)

Mosta: 99.6 mm (499.5 mm)

Msida: 78.8 mm (557.4 mm)

Sliema: 83.4 mm (547.8 mm)

Valletta: 35.6 mm (341.8 mm)

Imqabba: 82.9 mm (529.8 mm)

Żabbar: 46.0 mm (557.6 mm)

Birżebbuġa: 47.7 mm (403.8 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN: 60.4 mm (522.3 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Atmospheric Pressure

Wind

Precipitation

Rainfall Events

December 2021 Compared to the Climate Means

The Two Faces of December 2021

The first half of December 2021 was characterized by frequent rainy episodes. Almost all of last month’s 62.1 mm of rain were measured on ten days of rain in the first half of the month. The meteorological situation changed almost like a switch midway through. The second half of December 2021 was characterized by largely dry weather conditions. This abrupt change in the meteorological situation may be attributed to the expansion of a blocking anticyclone across the western Mediterranean. This continued to expand and strengthen across mainland Europe too at the end of the month. This ensured fine weather for the Maltese Islands, as the incoming storm systems were deviated to the north. In a stark contrast to October 2021 and November 2021, last month registered just over a half of the climatic average in terms of rain.

Overall, where temperature is concerned, December 2021 turned out to be markedly colder than the climate norm. In fact, last months mean temperature of 13.4°C was a solid 1.1°C colder than that of a typical December. An episode of wintry temperatures halfway through the month contributed to this. Minimum temperatures dipped to below 10°C on a total of 13 nights. Last month’s coldest minimum of 6.4°C was  in the early hours of Thursday 16^th. The coldest day overall was Sunday 19^th with maximum and minimum temperatures of 12.6°C and 7.4°C respectively. Conversely, the days around Christmas and New Year’s were characterized by very warm temperatures that were advected from the Sahara Desert across to parts of the Mediterranean and western Europe.

Wind behavior also reflected the switch in atmospheric pressure patterns halfway through the month. The first half of December 2021 was notably windy, with no less than three gales being registered. The second half of last month was much calmer, as a blocking anticyclone ensured stability across the region.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in December 2021 (and since last September 1st):

Għarb: 62.1 mm (490.2 mm)

Marsalforn: 49.5 mm (545.9 mm)

Victoria: 60.4 mm (503.5 mm)

Xewkija: 32.0 (468.4 mm)

Nadur: 49.8 mm (532.4 mm)

Mellieħa: 45.4 mm (476.4 mm)

Buġibba: 36.2 mm (507.9 mm)

Naxxar: 35.4 mm (492.5 mm)

Dingli: 32.1 mm (393.9 mm)

Mġarr: 34.3 mm (478.2 mm)

Mosta: 45.3 mm (399.9 mm)

Msida: 52.2 mm (478.6 mm)

Sliema: 50.1 mm (464.4 mm)

Valletta: 28.8 mm (306.2 mm)

Imqabba: 26.6 mm (446.9 mm)

Żabbar: 44.0 mm (511.6 mm)

Birżebbuġa: 26.2 mm (356.1 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN: 41.8 mm (461.9 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Atmospheric Pressure

Wind

Precipitation

Rainfall Events

November 2021 Compared to the Climate Means

Wetter than Average Autumn continues in November 2021

The wetter than average trend set earlier in autumn was maintained throughout the month of November 2021. A total of 177.5 mm of rain was measured by our weather station. This is almost double the climate norm of 93.6 mm. This year’s autumn is the wettest in years, and has helped relieve the drought that had gripped the Maltese Islands in previous years. This didn’t come without any consequences, unfortunately. The bulk of the rain came from rainfall events that dotted the second half of the month. There were 11 days of rain last month. 2 of these were severe rainfall events. The thunderstorms of 11^th and 25^th November both struck in the early hours. They each dumped in excess of 100 mm of rain over several localities, sparking flash floods. The one on the 25^th was particularly dangerous, with a number of people having to be rescued from the flooding. Total rainfall since last September 1^st now stands at 428.1 mm. That is more than what was measured throughout the 2020/2021 rainfall season.

With regards to temperature, November 2021 turned out to be marginally warmer, especially where daytime maximum temperatures are concerned. This is mainly due to a spell of balmy temperatures that lasted much of the first half of the month. Winds from the south fanned warm air from the Sahara Desert across the central Mediterranean, elevating temperatures to well above average. The return of the westerlies brought colder temperatures towards the end of the month. Last month’s mean temperature of 18.0°C was 0.4°C warmer than what one would expect in a typical November.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in November 2021 (and since last September 1st):

Għarb – 177.5 mm (428.1 mm)

Marsalforn – 221.9 mm (496.4 mm)

Victoria – 171.2 mm (443.1 mm)

Xewkija – 216.0 mm (436.4 mm)

Nadur – 233.5 mm (482.5 mm)

Mellieħa – 236.8 mm (431.0 mm)

Buġibba – 230.2 (471.7 mm)

Naxxar – 225.8 mm (457.1 mm)

Dingli – 130.1 mm (361.8 mm)

Mġarr – 191.7 mm (443.9 mm)

Mosta – 164.1 mm (354.6 mm)

Msida – 176.2 mm (426.4 mm)

Sliema – 175.4 mm (414.3 mm)

Valletta – 115.8mm (277.4 mm)

Imqabba – 144.2 mm (420.3 mm)

Żabbar – 174.9 mm (467.4 mm)

Birżebbuġa – 105.6 mm (329.9 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN – 181.1 mm (420.3 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Atmospheric Pressure

Wind

Precipitation

Rainfall Events

September 2021 Compared to the Climate Means

Warmer and Drier in September 2021

Overall, October 2021 turned out to be significantly warmer than the climate norm. At 25.9°C, temperatures were 1.3°C warmer than the mean. Temperatures were above average on 19 days. This may be attributed to the central Mediterranean being covered by a persistent north African high pressure system. This fanned hot air from the Sahara Desert towards our region, maintaining air temperatures at an elevated level. The hottest day last month was on the 18^th, when the mercury spiked to 31.9°C.

September 2021 was also drier than average. The 9.6 mm of rain measured last month all fell in the first week. This accounted for far less than a quarter of the climate mean. This was the result of anticyclonic conditions that prevailed over the central Mediterranean for a large part of the month. These acted as a barrier, which prevented low pressure systems from reaching the central Mediterranean.

The more stable meteorological conditions also meant weaker winds.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in September 2021 (and since last September 1st):

Għarb – 9.6 mm (9.6 mm)

Marsalforn – 15.2 mm (15.2 mm)

Victoria – 18.4 mm (18.4 mm)

Xewkija – 14.8 mm (14.8 mm)

Nadur – 12.9 mm (12.9 mm)

Mellieħa – 16.8 mm (16.8 mm)

Buġibba – 34.3 (34.3 mm)

Naxxar – 34.3 mm (34.3 mm)

Dingli – 46.2 mm (46.2 mm)

Mġarr – 25.9 mm (25.9 mm)

Mosta – 25.0 mm (25.0 mm)

Msida – 22.8 mm (22.8 mm)

Sliema – 25.4 mm (25.4 mm)

Valletta – 21.1mm (21.1 mm)

Imqabba – 13.3 mm (13.3 mm)

Żabbar – 12.5 mm (12.5 mm)

Birżebbuġa – 12.1 mm (12.1 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN – 21.2 mm (21.2 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Atmospheric Pressure

Wind

Precipitation

Rainfall Events

October 2021 Compared to the Climate Means

October 2021 One of the Wettest Ever

October 2021 turned out to be noticeably cooler than average. With a mean temperature of 20.6°C, last month was a solid 0.8°C cooler than the climate norm. Last month started off on a relatively warm note. This was short-lived, however. Successive pockets of cooler air from over Europe, coupled with the cooling effect of rain on a staggering 20 days, ensured a pattern of consistently cooler than average temperatures. A 13.9°C low, the coldest for October 2021, was registered on the 21^st. This was measured at around dawn, after a night of cooling under anticyclonic conditions. The very warm days at the start of the month were brought about by southerly winds which fanned hot air from north Africa towards the central Mediterranean. Last months warmest temperature of 27.6°C was measured on two days, the 4^th and 5^th.

The 241.0 mm of rain measured last month was almost three times more than the 83.3 mm expected in a typical October. This made October 2021 the third wettest October since record keeping began a century ago. Rain fell on 20 days last month, with rainfall events having been evenly distributed, bar for a brief dry spell in the third week of the month. Thunder was heard on 10 days. Hail was observed on 2 days. Total 24-hour rainfall exceeded 25 mm on 4 days. The wettest day was the 3^rd, when 69.5 mm of rain were recorded. Much of this rain fell in a few minutes in the very early hours, during an intense thunderstorm that packed rainfall rates of over 300 mm/hr, winds of up to Force 7 and dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning. Xlendi, notable for frequent in storms, bore the brunt of it all. The valley system that empties in Xlendi collects run-off from the localities which received the most rainfall from these thunderstorms. Cars were carried to the sea and debris littered the streets. Rainfall during the thunderstorm was most intense between 3:28 a.m. and 3:39 a.m. when a staggering 37.8 mm of rain were dumped in just 11 minutes.

October 2021 turned out to be noticeably cooler than average. With a mean temperature of 20.6°C, last month was a solid 0.8°C cooler than the climate norm. Last month started off on a relatively warm note. This was short-lived, however. Successive pockets of cooler air from over Europe, coupled with the cooling effect of rain on a staggering 20 days, ensured a pattern of consistently cooler than average temperatures. A 13.9°C low, the coldest for October 2021, was registered on the 21^st. This was measured at around dawn, after a night of cooling under anticyclonic conditions. The very warm days at the start of the month were brought about by southerly winds which fanned hot air from north Africa towards the central Mediterranean. Last months warmest temperature of 27.6°C was measured on two days, the 4^th and 5^th.

The 241.0 mm of rain measured last month was almost three times more than the 83.3 mm expected in a typical October. This made October 2021 the third wettest October since record keeping began a century ago. Rain fell on 20 days last month, with rainfall events having been evenly distributed, bar for a brief dry spell in the third week of the month. Thunder was heard on 10 days. Hail was observed on 2 days. Total 24-hour rainfall exceeded 25 mm on 4 days. The wettest day was the 3^rd, when 69.5 mm of rain were recorded. Much of this rain fell in a few minutes in the very early hours, during an intense thunderstorm that packed rainfall rates of over 300 mm/hr, winds of up to Force 7 and dangerous cloud-to-ground lightning. Xlendi, notable for frequent in storms, bore the brunt of it all. The valley system that empties in Xlendi collects run-off from the localities which received the most rainfall from these thunderstorms. Cars were carried to the sea and debris littered the streets. Rainfall during the thunderstorm was most intense between 3:28 a.m. and 3:39 a.m. when a staggering 37.8 mm of rain were dumped in just 11 minutes.

Rainfall Totals around the Maltese Islands in October 2021 (and since last September 1st):

Għarb – 241.0 mm (250.6 mm)

Marsalforn – 259.3 mm (274.5 mm)

Victoria – 253.5 mm (271.9 mm)

Xewkija – 205.6 mm (220.4 mm)

Nadur – 236.1 mm (249.0 mm)

Mellieħa – 177.4 mm (194.2 mm)

Buġibba – 207.2 mm (241.5 mm)

Naxxar – 197.0 mm (231.3 mm)

Dingli – 185.5 mm (231.7 mm)

Mġarr – 226.3 mm (252.2 mm)

Mosta – 165.5 mm (190.5 mm)

Msida – 227.4 mm (250.2 mm)

Sliema – 213.5 mm (238.9 mm)

Valletta – 140.5 mm (161.6 mm)

Imqabba – 262.8 mm (276.1 mm)

Żabbar – 292.5 mm (305.1 mm)

Birżebbuġa – 212.2 mm (224.3 mm)

NATIONAL MEAN – 218.0 mm (239.2 mm)

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Atmospheric Pressure

Wind

Precipitation

August 2021 Compared to the Climate Means

Significantly Hotter than Average in August 2021

August 2021 was the hottest month of the year. The mean temperature exceeded the norm by a staggering 1.6°C. Maximum temperatures were 1°C hotter than average. Nighttime lows were 2.2°C warmer than average. This wider anomaly may be attributed to the warmer than average sea surrounding the Maltese Islands. A very warm sea inhibits nighttime cooling. The hottest day was the 1^st, with a maximum temperature of 37.3°C. Temperatures exceeded the 40°C mark on the day, in more central spots on Malta. A total of eighteen days registered a maximum temperature greater than the climate mean. The coolest temperature of 21.1°C was measured at dawn on the 20^th. This was one of only a handful of nights with a minimum temperature dipping to below average.

A heavy rain shower was observed over a handful of localities in central Malta on 22^nd August. Most places remained dry on the day, however. This extended the dry run for the driest of localities to 150 days.

Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Atmospheric Pressure

Wind

Precipitation

July 2021 Compared to the Climate Means

Hotter than Average in July 2021

Sixteen July days registered a maximum air temperature that surpassed the climate norm of 31.2°C. A spell of cool, windy weather halfway through the month meant a slightly cooler than average mean monthly maximum temperature. In a stark contrast to this, nighttime minimum temperatures were a staggering 1.9°C warmer than average. This may be attributed to the warmer than average sea surrounding the Maltese Islands. A very warm sea inhibits nighttime cooling. On the last day of July, the air temperature peaked at 35.8°C in Għarb, with a handful of localities around Malta registering a maximum temperature as high as 40°C. Other parts of Europe sizzled in even hotter temperatures as well.

The month of July was generally calm. The mean wind speed of 11.8km/h was in line with the climate norm. The maximum gust last month was registered on the 17^th, at 49.9 km/h, when a zone of instability brought a spell of cool, windy weather to the Maltese Islands.

Unsurprisingly, July lived up to its expectation of being a bone dry month across Malta. There was no rain across the Maltese Islands at any point last month.