Reports

    End of Month Reports
    August 1, 20200

    Cooler Days but Warmer Nights in July 2020

    Air Temperature

    Highest Maximum 34.6°C 30th
    Lowest Maximum 27.4°C 7th
    Highest Minimum 25.8°C 31st 
    Lowest Minimum 21.1°C 10th

     

    Mean Maximum 30.6°C
    Mean Minimum 22.9°C
    Mean 26.7°C

     

    Relative Humidity

    Highest Relative Humidity 97% Several Days
    Lowest Relative Humidity 35% 2nd

     

    Mean Relative Humidity 76.7%

     

    Atmospheric Pressure

    Highest Atmospheric Pressure 1020.3hPa 21st
    Lowest Atmospheric Pressure 1008.1hPa 6th and 7th 

     

    Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1014.5hPa

     

    Wind

    Highest Gust 51.5km/h 4th and 5th 

     

    Mean Wind Speed 8.2km/h
    Mean Gust Speed 15.0km/h
    Mean Wind + Gust Speed 11.6km/h
    Most Frequent Wind Direction Northwest

     

    Precipitation

    Total Rainfall During July 2020 0.3 mm
    Total Rainfall Since Last 01/09 406.1 mm

     

    Highest 24 Hour Total 0.3 mm 2oth

     

    Rain Days 1
    Thunderstorm Days 0
    Hail Days 0

     

    Rainfall Events

    20/07/2020 0.3 mm Light Rain Shower

     

    July 2020 Compared to the Climate Means

      Climate Mean July 2020 Anomaly
    Mean Maximum Temperature 31.2°C 30.6°C -0.6°C
    Mean Minimum Temperature 22.0°C 22.9°C +0.9°C
    Mean Temperature 26.6°C 26.7°C +0.1°C
    Mean Relative Humidity 69% 76.7% +7.7%
    Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1015.7hPa 1014.5hPa -1.2hPa
    Mean Wind Speed 13.3 km/h 11.6km/h -1.7km/h
    Most Frequent Wind Direction Northwest Northwest 0°
    Total Rainfall 0.3 mm 0.3 mm 0 mm
    Total Rainfall Since Last 01/09 547.8 mm 406.1 mm -141.7 mm
    Total Rain Days 0 0 +1
    Total Thunderstorm Days 0 0 0
    Total Hail Days 0 0 0

     

    Cooler Days but Warmer Nights in July 2020

    At 30.6°C, daytime highs were 0.6°C cooler than normal. Conversely, at 22.9°C, nighttime lows were 0.9°C warmer than the norm. This made for an overall difference of only 0.1°C from the climate mean. Up till 23rd July, maximum temperatures exceeded the climatic norm of 31.2°C on only three days. This was due to the presence of an upper level cold pool. This covered the central Mediterranean for a large part of the first two thirds of the month. Apart from keeping temperatures cool, this cold pool was responsible for several days with a breezy Northwest wind. The final nine days, on the other hand, were characterised by a heat spell. July 2020’s hottest temperature was recorded at 34.6°C on the 30th. This was followed by the month’s warmest night. A minimum temperature of 25.8°C was measured just before dawn on the 31st. Dipping into the sea during this heat spell provided little respite. The sea surface temperature shot up to 28°C, a full 3°C above the climate mean, in the final days of July 2020.

    July 2020 is known for being the year’s driest month. This time round, it was a tad different, at least for a few localities. A heavy rain shower produced up to 30.5 mm in localised areas. Rain in July is rare, but not unheard of. This was only the third time in recent decades that such heavy rainfall occurred in July. Meanwhile, our weather station in Għarb only recorded a brief shower, with 0.3 mm of rainfall.

    Levels of relative humidity were significantly higher than in a typical July. In fact, all but one morning recorded relative humidity greater than 90%. Most mornings were characterised by mist or fog patches and low clouds. The more humid air can be attributed to the warmer than average sea across the central Mediterranean.

    End of Month Reports
    July 1, 20200

    Completely Dry in June 2020

    Air Temperature

    Highest Maximum 33.0°C 30th
    Lowest Maximum 23.6°C 5th and 6th
    Highest Minimum 22.4°C 30th 
    Lowest Minimum 17.4°C 1st and 2nd

     

    Mean Maximum 27.0°C
    Mean Minimum 19.7°C
    Mean 23.4°C

     

    Relative Humidity

    Highest Relative Humidity 98% On 7th and 30th 
    Lowest Relative Humidity 32% 14th

     

    Mean Relative Humidity 75.7%

     

    Atmospheric Pressure

    Highest Atmospheric Pressure 1020.3hPa 25th
    Lowest Atmospheric Pressure 1002.7hPa 5th

     

    Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1014.2hPa

     

    Wind

    Highest Gust 59.5km/h 5th

     

    Mean Wind Speed 10.4km/h
    Mean Gust Speed 19.1km/h
    Mean Wind + Gust Speed 14.8km/h
    Most Frequent Wind Direction Northwest

     

    Precipitation

    Total Rainfall During June 2020 0.0 mm
    Total Rainfall Since Last 01/09 405.8 mm

     

    Highest 24 Hour Total 0.0 mm /

     

    Rain Days 0
    Thunderstorm Days 0
    Hail Days 0

     

    June 2020 Compared to the Climate Means

      Climate Mean June 2020 Anomaly
    Mean Maximum Temperature 27.4°C 27.0°C -0.8°C
    Mean Minimum Temperature 19.4°C 19.7°C +0.3°C
    Mean Temperature 23.6°C 23.4°C -0.2°C
    Mean Relative Humidity 71% 75.7% +4.7%
    Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1015.8hPa 1014.2hPa -1.6hPa
    Mean Wind Speed 15.2 km/h 14.8km/h -0.4km/h
    Most Frequent Wind Direction Northwest Northwest 0°
    Total Rainfall 3.9 mm 0.0 mm -3.9 mm
    Total Rainfall Since Last 01/09 547.5 mm 405.8 mm -141.7 mm
    Total Rain Days 1 0 -1
    Total Thunderstorm Days 0 0 0
    Total Hail Days 0 0 0

     

    Completely Dry in June 2020

    Air temperatures varied between the highest maximum of 33.0°C (on the 30th) and the lowest minimum of 17.4°C (on the 1st and 2nd). Averaging at 27.0°C, the mean maximum temperature was some 0.8°C below the average for this time of year. The minimum temperature, on the other hand, was 0.3°C warmer than the expected value. This made for June being an overall fairly typical one with regards to air temperature. No heatwaves were experienced. In fact, temperatures only exceeded the 30°C mark on 4 days.

    Atmospheric pressure was slightly weaker than what one would expect in a typical June. The central Mediterranean was affected by zones of instability more often than usual. This is also reflected in the number of days with winds in excess of 39 km/h (Force 6). This wind speed was reached on a total of 9 days in June 2020. The strongest gust was measured at 59.5 km/h from the Northwest on the 5th. That day also accounted for the lowest atmospheric pressure reading for June 2020. Most days last month were characterised by a Northwest wind. A more unstable atmosphere also contributed to an overall higher level of relative humidity.

    Despite the greater instability, June 2020 ended up being a completely dry month. It was the third completely dry June in the past 10 years. The closest rain showers and thunderstorms were over Sicily.

    End of Month Reports
    June 1, 20200

    One Heatwave and a Severe Thunderstorm in May 2020

    Air Temperature

    Highest Maximum 32.3°C 16th
    Lowest Maximum 21.3°C 7th
    Highest Minimum 20.6°C 16th 
    Lowest Minimum 13.4°C 9th

     

    Mean Maximum 24.7°C
    Mean Minimum 17.3°C
    Mean 21.0°C

     

    Relative Humidity

    Highest Relative Humidity 100% On 4th and 5th 
    Lowest Relative Humidity 30% 17th

     

    Mean Relative Humidity 76.8%

     

    Atmospheric Pressure

    Highest Atmospheric Pressure 1028.5hPa 23rd
    Lowest Atmospheric Pressure 1007.5hPa 11th

     

    Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1016.9hPa

     

    Wind

    Highest Gust 54.7km/h 7th

     

    Mean Wind Speed 10.8km/h
    Mean Gust Speed 32.1km/h
    Mean Wind + Gust Speed 21.5km/h
    Most Frequent Wind Direction South Southeast

     

    Precipitation

    Total Rainfall During April 2020 6.6 mm
    Total Rainfall Since Last 01/09 405.8 mm

     

    Highest 24 Hour Total 6.6 mm 30th

     

    Rain Days 2
    Thunderstorm Days 1
    Hail Days 0

     

    Rainfall Events

    27/05/2020 TR mm Severe Thunderstorm in Malta; Drizzle in Għarb
    30/05/2020 6.6 mm Rain Shower


    May 2020 Compared to the Climate Means       

      Climate Mean May 2020 Anomaly
    Mean Maximum Temperature 23.4°C 24.7°C +1.3°C
    Mean Minimum Temperature 15.8°C 17.3°C +1.5°C
    Mean Temperature 19.6°C 21.0°C +1.4°C
    Mean Relative Humidity 71% 76.8% +5.8%
    Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1015.3hPa 1016.9hPa +1.6hPa
    Mean Wind Speed 17.0 km/h 21.5km/h +4.5km/h
    Most Frequent Wind Direction Northwest South Southeast +157.5°
    Total Rainfall 9.9 mm 6.6 mm -3.3 mm
    Total Rainfall Since Last 01/09 543.6 mm 405.8 mm -137.8 mm
    Total Rain Days 3 2 -1
    Total Thunderstorm Days 1 1 0
    Total Hail Days 1 0 0

     

    One Heatwave and a Severe Thunderstorm in May 2020

    Most days last month were characterized by air temperatures at or slightly above the climate average. The same cannot be said for the stretch of days from the 12th till the 17th, however. Warmer than average temperatures characterized much of May 2020’s second week. Using the national criterion for a heatwave, we may conclude that the Maltese Islands experienced one heatwave during this month. This lasted for three days, from 14/05/2020 till 16/05/2020. The maximum temperature measured during this heatwave was of 32.3°C on the 16th. It was the hottest May day in 14 years. With a monthly mean temperature of 21.0°C, May 2020 was 1.4°C warmer than usual. Both days and nights were substantially warmer.

    The most notable event last month was a severe thunderstorm on 27/05/2020. At least two thunderstorms drenched mainland Malta on that day. The second of these, which struck late in the afternoon, was confirmed as having been severe. It produced wind gusts of up to Force 8 (over 62 km/h), hailstones with a diameter of around 2.5 centimetres (the size of a €2 coin) and a confirmed waterspout (dissipated when over the beach) close to Armier. Total rainfall ranged from 6.4 mm (Birżebbuġa) to 41.2 mm (Għargħur). A separate shower occurred over parts of Gozo. The western half of the sister island, which encompasses our weather station in Għarb, remained completely dry. Għarb saw only one day of rain. This was the 30th, when 6.6 mm of rain were measured during an afternoon shower.

    This year’s May lived up to the expectation of it being a blustery month, with 10 days in total seeing winds greater than Force 6 (39 km/h) on the Beaufort Scale. Soitherly winds dominated May 2020. In fact, the wind blew from a southerly quadrant on a total of 17 days.

    Atmospheric pressure clocked in at an average 1016.9hPa. This is well above average for this time of year.

    Severe Weather Reports
    May 28, 20200

    Severe Thunderstorm on 27/05/2020

    At least two thunderstorms drenched Malta. The second of these, which struck in afternoon, was confirmed as having been severe. It produced wind gusts of up to Force 8 (over 62 km/h), hailstones with a diameter of around 2.5 centimetres (the size of a €2 coin) and a confirmed waterspout (dissipated when over the beach) close to Armier Bay. Total rainfall ranged from 6.4 mm (Birżebbuġa) to 41.2 mm (Għargħur). Another independent weather service provider reported close to 70 mm in St.Paul’s Bay. A separate shower occurred over parts of Gozo. The western half of the island remained completely dry.

    An upper-level low pressure system over the central Mediterranean brought relatively cold air from the Balkans over a warm central Mediterranean, creating a great deal of instability with towering cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds that sparked heavy showers and thunderstorms. The wind was very light at all levels of the troposphere, allowing the storms to build up gradually as a result of diurnal heating. Colder air in the upper levels of the atmosphere increases instability. This is because the warmer air at ground level, being lighter and more buoyant, tends to rise. This vertical movement cools the rising air, causing the moisture within to condense and form clouds.

    Wednesday 27th May was expected to be a fairly unstable day, but admittedly, this instability was much greater than initially predicted.

    Thanks to Andrea Muscat, Steve Cutajar, Norbert Vella, George Carl Camilleri, Josephine Debrincat and Chrystal for the photos!

    Severe Weather Reports
    May 14, 20200

    Heat Burst on 14/05/2020

    Parts of the Maltese Islands, especially Gozo, experienced a probable heat burst in the very early hours. Starting at 02:19, the air temperature rose rapidly by 6.1°C (from 20.6°C to 26.7°C) in a space of just 20 minutes. Levels of relative humidity also experienced a sharp drop, from a humid 80% to an extremely dry 37%, all in a gap of a few minutes. In typical heat burst fashion, the wind increased dramatically from a complete calm to 40.2 km/h (Force 6) in a matter of minutes. The behaviour of air pressure also reveals tell-tale signs of a heat burst. It climbed by 2hPa, from 1009.5hPa to 1011.5hPa, over the same time period. This lasted for some time, with the air temperature and wind subsiding gradually afterwards.

    A rare phenomenon, heat bursts tend to be more likely in the late spring and more specifically at night. Lasting anywhere from a couple of minutes to several hours, the main distinguishing features of heat bursts are sudden strong gusty winds, extreme temperature changes and a drop in humidity.

    This probable heat burst can be blamed on a cut-off low pressure system which traversed our area during the night between Wednesday and Thursday. This cut-off low had several embedded isolated thunderstorms within it. Most were in an advanced stage of dissipation. One of these isolated thunderstorms passing just off Gozo’s west coast is the likely culprit. As a thunderstorm starts to dissipate, its clouds rise, leaving a layer of cold air beneath. At this stage, much of the moisture has been eliminated from the air by earlier precipitation. Due to gravity and the rapidly disappearing updrafts (currents of rising air within clouds), the dense air starts to sink to the ground. As its descent accelerates down, the air is subjected to increasing air pressure and friction. The increased atmospheric pressure causes the air to warm under compression ed-hrvatski.com. The friction between falling and stationary air particles creates further heat. All this contributes to the thermal buildup of the sinking air. As the air heats up, any remaining moisture is forced to evaporate. Momentum allows the layer of air to continue to speed up its descent. The result is a heated, dry pocket of air that hits the surface, forcing warm gusty wind to disperse away from this point of impact. A heat burst has been likened to someone blowing down on a puddle of water.

    End of Month Reports
    May 1, 20200

    Warmer and Drier April 2020

    Air Temperature

    Highest Maximum 23.7°C 28th
    Lowest Maximum 13.4°C 3rd
    Highest Minimum 15.9°C 28th 
    Lowest Minimum 11.1°C 13th

     

    Mean Maximum 20.1°C
    Mean Minimum 13.7°C
    Mean 16.9°C

     

    Relative Humidity

    Highest Relative Humidity 100% Several days
    Lowest Relative Humidity 42% 13th

     

    Mean Relative Humidity 82.0%

     

    Atmospheric Pressure

    Highest Atmospheric Pressure 1026.0hPa 7th
    Lowest Atmospheric Pressure 1002.6hPa 20th

     

    Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1016.6hPa

     

    Wind

    Highest Gust 61.2km/h 20th

     

    Mean Wind Speed 9.1km/h
    Mean Gust Speed 31.3km/h
    Mean Wind + Gust Speed 20.2km/h
    Most Frequent Wind Direction Northwest

     

    Precipitation

    Total Rainfall During April 2020 8.2 mm
    Total Rainfall Since Last 01/09 399.2 mm

     

    Highest 24 Hour Total 5.9 mm 4th

     

    Rain Days 4
    Thunderstorm Days 0
    Hail Days 0

     

    Rainfall Events

    02/04/2020 0.5 mm Drizzle
    04/04/2020 5.9 mm Isolated Thunderstorms
    20/04/2020 1.6 mm Light Rain and Drizzle
    29/04/2020 0.2 mm Drizzle

     

    April 2020 Compared to the Climate Means  

      Climate Mean April 2020 Anomaly
    Mean Maximum Temperature 19.4°C 20.1°C +0.7°C
    Mean Minimum Temperature 12.8°C 13.7°C +0.9°C
    Mean Temperature 16.1°C 16.9°C +0.8°C
    Mean Relative Humidity 77% 82% +5%
    Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1014.3hPa 1016.6hPa +2.3hPa
    Mean Wind Speed 18.9 km/h 20.1km/h +1.1km/h
    Most Frequent Wind Direction Northwest Northwest 0°
    Total Rainfall 20.9 mm 8.2 mm -12.7 mm
    Total Rainfall Since Last 01/09 533.7 mm 399.2 mm -134.5 mm
    Total Rain Days 5 4 -1
    Total Thunderstorm Days 1 0 -1
    Total Hail Days 1 0 -1

     

    Warmer and Drier April 2020

    Spring made its prescence felt across the Maltese Islands last month https://polska-ed.com/kupic-generic-cialis/. Temperatures warmed up gradually over the course of April. Overall, air temperature averaged at 16.9°C, surpassing the climate norm by 0.8°C. Despite this, last month still recorded the coolest April day in many years. With a maximum temperature of 13.4°C, 3rd April was a full 5°C cooler than a typical April day. The warmest day last month was the 28th, with a 23.7°C high. This was exceptionally warm, especially when compared to the warmest temperatures recorded in April of previous years.

    Only 8.2 mm of rain were measured over the course of April 2020. This is less than half of the total amount expected during this month. As is the norm in spring, much of this rain fell with showers which deposited fine desert sand from over the Sahara. 399.2 mm of rain have been recorded at our weather station in Għarb since last September 1st. That is some 130 mm less than in a typical year.

    The first four months of the year are the windiest locally. April 2020 conformed with the norm in this aspect. An average wind speed of 20.1 km/h over the past 30 days, meant that winds were in line with the average. The wind exceeded Force 7 on 3 days. April’s highest wind gust of 61.2 km/h from the East Southeast was registered on the 20th. This was due to a deep low pressure system traversing the central Mediterranean.

    Atmospheric pressure clocked in at an average 1016.6hPa, above the average for this time of year. This explains the warmer and drier than average conditions experienced in April 2020.

    End of Month Reports
    April 1, 20200

    March 2020 eases winter’s drought

    Air Temperature

    Highest Maximum 22.2°C 2nd
    Lowest Maximum 13.3°C 30th
    Highest Minimum 13.9°C 1st 
    Lowest Minimum 8.8°C 26th

     

    Mean Maximum 16.8°C
    Mean Minimum 11.6°C
    Mean 14.2°C

     

    Relative Humidity

    Highest Relative Humidity 100% Several days
    Lowest Relative Humidity 40% 2nd

     

    Mean Relative Humidity 84.2%

     

    Atmospheric Pressure

    Highest Atmospheric Pressure 1028.7hPa 17th
    Lowest Atmospheric Pressure 995.6hPa 25th

     

    Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1015.5hPa

     

    Wind

    Highest Gust 72.4km/h 26th

     

    Mean Wind Speed 11.9km/h
    Mean Gust Speed 37.9km/h
    Mean Wind + Gust Speed 24.9km/h
    Most Frequent Wind Direction Northwest

     

    Precipitation

    Total Rainfall During March 2020 33.3 mm
    Total Rainfall Since Last 01/09 391.7 mm

     

    Highest 24 Hour Total 10.3 mm 10th

     

    Rain Days 10
    Thunderstorm Days 1
    Hail Days 1

     

    Rainfall Events

    04/03/2020 0.5 mm Isolated Light Rain
    05/03/2020 1.6 mm Isolated Showers
    09/03/2020 1.4 mm Isolated Showers
    10/03/2020 10.3 mm Showers
    21/03/2020 0.6 mm Isolated Light Rain
    24/03/2020 0.2 mm Brief Light Rain/Drizzle
    25/03/2020 9.5 mm Showers; Isolated Thunderstorm with Hail
    26/03/2020 1.6 mm Isolated Light Rain
    27/03/2020 1.5 mm Isolated Light Rain
    30/03/2020 6.1 mm Showers; Persistent Drizzle

     

    March 2020 Compared to the Climate Means 

      Climate Mean March 2020 Anomaly
    Mean Maximum Temperature 17.0°C 16.8°C -0.2°C
    Mean Minimum Temperature 10.9°C 11.6°C +0.7°C
    Mean Temperature 14.0°C 14.2°C +0.2°C
    Mean Relative Humidity polska-ed.com 79% 84.2% +5.2%
    Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1016.1hPa 1015.5hPa -0.6hPa
    Mean Wind Speed 18.9 km/h 11.9km/h -7.0km/h
    Most Frequent Wind Direction Northwest Northwest 0°
    Total Rainfall 39.8 mm 33.3 mm -6.5 mm
    Total Rainfall Since Last 01/09 512.8 mm 391.0 mm -121.8 mm
    Total Rain Days 7 10 +3
    Total Thunderstorm Days 2 1 -1
    Total Hail Days 1 1 0

     

    March 2020 eases winter’s drought

    With 33.3 mm of rain, March 2020 was wetter than both January 2020 and February 2020 combined. Only 6.4 mm were measured in the previous two months combined. The total of 33.3 mm still means that last month was, albeit by a narrow margin, drier than average. Some localities around the Maltese Islands had a wetter March though. It was down to the spatial variation in heavy rain cells on the 25th and 30th. The 10.3 mm measured on the 10th was the highest 24 hour total since last 11th December  All in all, March 2020 helped ease the drought that has gripped the Maltese Islands since the beginning of December 2019.

    A glance at data reveals that the Maltese Islands experienced a typical March temperature-wise. The mean temperature of 14.2°C was only a marginal 0.2°C above the climatic average. Daytime highs averaged 16.8°C, 0.2°C below the norm. Delving deeper, however, will reveal that nighttime lows were on the whole more than half a degree warmer than usual. Values of air temperature varied evenly over the course of March 2020. A notable observation is the lowest maximum temperature of 13.3°C, measured on the 30th. No day was as cold in either January 2020 or February 2020.

    March is typically one of the windiest months locally. March 2020 was much calmer, with only one day of gale-force winds. This was the 26th, when the month’s highest wind gust of 72.4 km/h from the Northwest was measured.

    Atmospheric pressure clocked in at an average 1015.5hPa, slightly below the average for this time of year. This was a stark contrast to atmospheric pressure readings in January 2020 and February 2020. Both months were characterised by extremely high atmospheric pressure. It was the result of a strong positive North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). The pattern flipped during March. A strong high pressure developed close to the British Isles. This expanded to cover a large part of central and northern Europe. The high pressure over those regions deviated the storm track south, encouraging low pressure systems to reach the central Mediterranean.

    End of Month Reports
    March 4, 20200

    February 2020 was the Driest February on Record

    Air Temperature

    Highest Maximum 18.9°C 1st
    Lowest Maximum 13.8°C 6th and 7th
    Highest Minimum 14.7°C 4th 
    Lowest Minimum 8.1°C 7th

     

    Mean Maximum 16.6°C
    Mean Minimum 11.4°C
    Mean 14.0°C

     

    Relative Humidity

    Highest Relative Humidity 100% Several days
    Lowest Relative Humidity 40% 5th

     

    Mean Relative Humidity 82.6%

     

    Atmospheric Pressure

    Highest Atmospheric Pressure 1034.7hPa 9th
    Lowest Atmospheric Pressure 1009.0hPa 5th

     

    Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1023.2hPa

     

    Wind

    Highest Gust 74.0km/h 5th

     

    Mean Wind Speed 13.0km/h
    Mean Gust Speed 37.2km/h
    Mean Wind + Gust Speed 25.1km/h
    Most Frequent Wind Direction Northwest

     

    Precipitation

    Total Rainfall During February 2020 0.5 mm
    Total Rainfall Since Last 01/09 357.7 mm

     

    Highest 24 Hour Total 0.5 mm 5th

     

    Rain Days 1
    Thunderstorm Days 0
    Hail Days 1

     

    Rainfall Events

    05/02/2020 0.5 mm Light Rain/Hail

     

    February 2020 Compared to the Climate Means 

      Climate Mean February 2020 Anomaly
    Mean Maximum Temperature 15.5°C 16.6°C +1.1°C
    Mean Minimum Temperature 9.6°C 11.4°C +1.8°C
    Mean Temperature 12.6°C 14.0°C +1.4°C
    Mean Relative Humidity 78% 82.6% +4.6%
    Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1016.6hPa 1023.2hPa +6.6hPa
    Mean Wind Speed 19.1 km/h 13.0km/h -6.1km/h
    Most Frequent Wind Direction Northwest Northwest 0°
    Total Rainfall 61.5 mm 0.5 mm -61.0 mm
    Total Rainfall Since Last 01/09 473.0 mm 357.7 mm -115.3 mm
    Total Rain Days 10 1 -9
    Total Thunderstorm Days 3 0 -3
    Total Hail Days 1 1 0

     

    February 2020 was the Driest February on Record

    With a mere 0.5 mm of rain – registered in a brief isolated light rain and/or hail shower on the 5th – February 2020 has become the driest on record. It broke the record set in 2016. According to climate data, February is normally one of the year’s wettest months. The amount of rain measured over the course of this year’s exceptionally dry February is more comparable to the values usually registered during the summer months. In fact, past data reveals that February 2020 was drier than July 2019.

    With regards to air temperatures, the Maltese Islands experienced a very mild February. The mean maximum of 16.6°C was just over a degree above the average. The mean minimum of 11.4°C exceeded the norm by almost two degrees. The first ten days of the month registered all of February 2020’s extremes. With an 18.9°C high, the first day of the month was also the warmest. A few days later, on the 7th, our weather station measured February 2020’s lowest temperature of 8.1°C. From 10th February onward, under persistent anticyclonic conditions, the temperature stabilised.

    February is typically the windiest month, locally. February 2020 was much calmer, with only one gale. The highest wind gust of 74.0 km/h, from the Northwest, was registered on the 5th. The wind did not exceed the 50.0 km/h mark for the rest of the month. Calm nights were a common occurrence.

    Atmospheric pressure clocked in at an average 1023.2hPa, a full 6.6hPa greater than the norm for this time of year. The maximum atmospheric pressure reading of 1034.7hPa came very close to breaking the all time record for our weather station. A strong positive North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) prevailed throughout the month. A stronger than usual Azores High in combination with a deeper than normal Icelandic Low was reflected by data gathered at our weather station in Għarb. Anticyclones characterised our weather in February 2020. All low pressure systems, with the exception of one, originating over the Atlantic were forced northwards. This meteorological situation meant that the Maltese Islands experienced complete dryness and milder temperatures in February 2020.

    End of Month Reports
    February 2, 20200

    January 2020 was one of the Driest on Record

    Air Temperature

    Highest Maximum 17.9°C 26th
    Lowest Maximum 12.4°C 6th
    Highest Minimum 13.5°C 26th 
    Lowest Minimum 7.3°C 5th

     

    Mean Maximum 15.7°C
    Mean Minimum 11.1°C
    Mean 13.4°C

     

    Relative Humidity

    Highest Relative Humidity 100% Several days
    Lowest Relative Humidity 49% 5th

     

    Mean Relative Humidity 87.9%

     

    Atmospheric Pressure

    Highest Atmospheric Pressure 1034.5hPa 22nd
    Lowest Atmospheric Pressure 1019.7hPa 26th

     

    Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1025.5hPa

     

    Wind

    Highest Gust 56.3km/h 5th

     

    Mean Wind Speed 9.0km/h
    Mean Gust Speed 31.6km/h
    Mean Wind + Gust Speed 20.3km/h
    Most Frequent Wind Direction Northwest

     

    Precipitation

    Total Rainfall During January 2020 8.9 mm
    Total Rainfall Since Last 01/09 357.2 mm

     

    Highest 24 Hour Total 5.9 mm 13th

     

    Rain Days 4
    Thunderstorm Days 0
    Hail Days 0

     

    Rainfall Events

    12/01/2020 0.5 mm Drizzle
    13/01/2020 5.9 mm Isolated Showers
    14/01/2020 1.5 mm Isolated Light Rain
    21/01/2020 1.0 mm Isolated Light Rain

     

    January 2020 Compared to the Climate Means 

      Climate Mean January 2020 Anomaly
    Mean Maximum Temperature 15.4°C 15.7°C +0.3°C
    Mean Minimum Temperature 9.9°C 11.1°C +1.2°C
    Mean Temperature 12.7°C 13.4°C +0.7°C
    Mean Relative Humidity 79% 87.9% +8.9%
    Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1018.2hPa 1025.5hPa +7.3hPa
    Mean Wind Speed 18.9 km/h 20.3km/h +1.4km/h
    Most Frequent Wind Direction Northwest Northwest 0°
    Total Rainfall 85.4 mm 8.9 mm -76.5 mm
    Total Rainfall Since Last 01/09 411.5 mm 357.2 mm -54.3 mm
    Total Rain Days 13 4 -9
    Total Thunderstorm Days 3 0 -3
    Total Hail Days 1 0 -1

     

    January 2020 was one of the Driest on Record

    The month of January was extremely drier than average. In fact, it came close to breaking a decades old record for the driest January ever. The measly 8.9 mm measured over the course of this month was just 10% of the total we normally receive in a typical January. In terms of dry weather, January 2020 continued the trend set at the beginning of December 2019. Only 4 days of rain were recorded. With the exception of a brief hailstorm in Mellieħa, no thunder or hail was observed across the Maltese Islands this month. All rain this January came in brief isolated showers, a weather pattern we often experience in late spring.

    With regards to air temperatures, the Maltese Islands experienced a mild January. Daytime highs, at a mean of 15.7°C, were only slightly above the average. The average nighttime low of 11.1°C, however, was a solid 1.2°C greater than the mean for this time of year. A brief cold spell towards the start of the month registered January 2020’s coldest minimum temperature of 7.3°C. No other cold spell was observed over the course of the month. The rest of January 2020, especially its second half, was marked by warmer than average temperatures.

    January is typically a windy month, locally. January 2020 was overally quite breezy, with winds reaching the Force 4/5 mark on a number of days. However, it was marked by the complete abscence of gale-force winds. The highest wind gust last month was of only 56.3 km/h, from the North Northwest.

    A very strong positive North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) was present throughout the month. A stronger than usual Azores High in combination with a deeper than normal Icelandic Low left its impact on the data gathered by our weather station in Għarb. Anticyclones characterised our weather in January 2020. Low pressure systems coming in from the Atlantic were forced northwards. This meteorological situation meant that the Maltese Islands experienced some very dry weather and milder temperatures throughout the month of January 2020. This was confirmed by atmospheric pressure gathered at our weather station in Għarb. The mean value of 1025.5hPa exceeded the climate average significantly. The maximum atmospheric pressure reading of 1034.5hPa came very close to breaking the all time record.

    End of Year Reports
    January 5, 20200

    2019 – The warmest year this decade

    Air Temperature

    Highest Maximum 38.3°C 9th July 2019
    Lowest Maximum 10.6°C 4th January 2019
    Highest Minimum 26.2°C 9th July 2019
    Lowest Minimum 3.9°C 23rd February 2019

     

    Mean Maximum 22.6°C
    Mean Minimum 16.4°C
    Mean 19.5°C

     

     

    Relative Humidity

    Highest Relative Humidity 100% Several Days
    Lowest Relative Humidity 14% 9th July 2019

     

    Mean Relative Humidity 63.8%

     

     

    Atmospheric Pressure

    Highest Atmospheric Pressure 1030.5hPa 14th February 2019
    Lowest Atmospheric Pressure 987.1hPa 25th January 2019

     

    Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1016.2hPa

     

     

    Wind

    Highest Gust 101.0 km/h (Force 10) 24th February 2019

     

    Mean Wind Speed 16.2 km/h
    Most Frequent Wind Direction West Southwest

     

    Precipitation

    Total Rainfall During 2018 559.2 mm

     

    Highest 24 Hour Total 47.8 mm 11th November 2019

     

    Rain Days 92 days
    Thunderstorm Days 31 days
    Hail Days 20 days

     

     

    Rainfall Events

    03/01/2019 1.3 mm Light Rain/Hail
    06/01/2019 2.5 mm Light Rain/Hail
    09/01/2019 12.1 mm Showers
    10/01/2019 1.0 mm Light Rain
    11/01/2019 2.0 mm Light Rain
    12/01/2019 0.3 mm Drizzle
    13/01/2019 2.0 mm Showers
    14/01/2019 7.9 mm Showers
    17/01/2019 2.4 mm Showers
    19/01/2019 3.6 mm Showers
    20/01/2019 6.6 mm Thundery Rain/Hail Showers
    22/01/2019 2.8 mm Showers
    23/01/2019 0.8 mm Light Rain
    24/01/2019 8.4 mm Rain/Hail Showers
    25/01/2019 6.4 mm Rain/Hail Showers
    26/01/2019 1.7 mm Shower
    27/01/2019 0.3 mm Drizzle
    29/01/2019 2.3 mm Thundery Rain/Hail Showers
    30/01/2019 0.5 mm Drizzle
    03/02/2019 3.2 mm Thundery Rain/Hail Showers
    04/02/2019 10.2 mm Showers; Steady Rain
    05/02/2019 11.6 mm Thundery Rain/Hail Showers; Steady Rain
    07/02/2019 0.6 mm Shower
    09/02/2019 0.9 mm Shower
    16/02/2019 0.8 mm Shower
    23/02/2019 6.9 mm Rain/Hail Showers
    24/02/2019 2.8 mm Rain/Hail Showers
    28/02/2019 3.0 mm Shower
    02/03/2019 0.5 mm Isolated Shower
    06/03/2019 0.5 mm Heavy Dewfall
    10/03/2019 0.3 mm Heavy Dewfall
    12/03/2019 0.3 mm Light Rain Shower
    15/03/2019 2.0 mm Light Rain
    18/03/2019 0.3 mm Heavy Dewfall
    21/03/2019 27.4 mm Thunderstorm
    22/03/2019 2.5 mm Light Rain
    24/03/2019 0.3 mm Heavy Dewfall
    27/03/2019 22.7 mm Thunderstorm
    04/04/2019 1.8 mm Light Rain
    05/04/2019 19.1 mm Thunderstorm
    07/04/2019 4.3 mm Isolated Showers
    14/04/2019 2.0 mm Isolated Showers
    22/04/2019 0.3 mm Light Thunderstorm
    03/05/2019 7.8 mm Showers
    04/05/2019 0.5 mm Light Thunderstorm
    12/05/2019 2.5 mm Light Thunderstorm
    13/05/2019 0.3 mm Drizzle
    14/05/2019 2.3 mm Light Rain
    16/05/2019 5.6 mm Thunderstorm
    26/05/2019 1.8 mm Light Thunderstorm
    30/05/2019 0.3 mm Light Rain
    16/07/2019 1.3 mm Shower
    29/08/2019 0.2 mm Light Rain
    01/09/2019 1.0 mm Light Rain
    02/09/2019 17.9 mm Thunderstorm
    04/09/2019 6.7 mm Thunderstorm
    05/09/2019 0.5 mm Light Rain; Distant Thunder
    09/09/2019 1.5 mm Isolated Shower
    10/09/2019 44.7 mm Thunderstorm with Hail
    11/09/2019 5.4 mm Isolated Showers
    22/09/2019 0.7 mm Light Rain
    07/10/2019 24.1 mm Thunderstorm; Steady Light Rain
    08/10/2019 1.4 mm Isolated Shower
    09/10/2019 15.0 mm Thunderstorms
    10/10/2019 0.3 mm Isolated Shower
    16/10/2019 4.8 mm Thunderstorm
    25/10/2019 13.9 mm Thunderstorm
    27/10/2019 6.4 mm Thunderstorm
    28/10/2019 24.6 mm Thunderstorm
    29/10/2019 10.0 mm Thunderstorm
    30/10/2019 4.5 mm Thunderstorm
    31/10/2019 1.0 mm Isolated Shower
    01/11/2019 11.4 mm Thunderstorm
    06/11/2019 3.6 mm Steady Light Rain
    07/11/2019 5.4 mm Steady Light Rain
    08/11/2019 TR mm Drizzle schweiz-libido.com
    09/11/2019 5.5 mm Isolated Showers
    10/11/2019 0.8 mm Drizzle
    11/11/2019 47.8 mm Thunderstorms
    12/11/2019 24.7 mm Rainy
    13/11/2019 1.8 mm Light Rain
    17/11/2019 0.1 mm Drizzle
    19/11/2019 1.5 mm Light Rain
    24/11/2019 12.4 mm Thunderstorms
    25/11/2019 14.0 mm Thunderstorms
    26/11/2019 0.3 mm Drizzle
    09/12/2019 0.2 mm Drizzle
    10/12/2019 9.2 mm Rain/Hail Showers
    11/12/2019 0.3 mm Drizzle
    12/12/2019 11.0 mm Intermittent Rain/Hail
    13/12/2019 3.5 mm Isolated Showers
    14/12/2019 0.8 mm Drizzle
    22/12/2019 1.0 mm Drizzle
    23/12/2019 0.3 mm Drizzle
    30/12/2019 2.8 mm Rain/Hail Showers
    31/12/2019 5.5 mm Rain/Hail Showers

     

     

     2019 Compared to the Climate Means

      Climate Mean 2019 Anomaly
    Mean Maximum Temperature 20.8°C 22.6°C +1.8°C
    Mean Minimum Temperature 15.6°C 16.4°C +0.8°C
    Mean Temperature 18.2°C 19.5°C +1.3°C
    Mean Relative Humidity 76% 63.8% -12.2%
    Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1016.5hPa 1016.2hPa -0.3hPa
    Mean Wind Speed 16.4 km/h 16.2 km/h -0.2 km/h
    Most Frequent Wind Direction West Northwest West Southwest -45°
    Total Rainfall 585.6 mm 559.2 mm -26.4 mm
    Total Rain Days 84 days 92 days +8 days
    Total Thunderstorm Days 26 days 31 days +5 day
    Total Hail Days 8 days 20 days +12 days

     

     

    Month-by-Month Summary for 2019

    January 2019 – Colder and Drier

    February 2019 – Average Temperatures and Drier

    March 2019 – Warmer and Wetter

    April 2019 – Colder and Wetter

    May 2019 – Colder and Wetter

    June 2019 – Warmer and Drier

    July 2019 – Warmer with Average Rainfall

    August 2019 – Warmer and Drier

    September 2019 – Warmer and Wetter

    October 2019 – Warmer and Wetter

    November 2019 – Warmer and Wetter

    December 2019 – Warmer and Drier

     

     

    2019: The Warmest Year this Decade

    2019 was the warmest year in the last decade. With a mean temperature of 19.5˚C, the annual average was exceeded by 1.3˚C. The greatest difference from the climate mean was recorded in maximum temperatures. All spring months, along with January, were colder than average. Conversely, all months from June onward were warmer than average. June 2019 was record breaking. It was the hottest June to ever be experienced in the Maltese Islands. It broke the record set in June 2003. The hottest day in 2019 was to be 9th July, when the mercury soared to 38.3˚C at the height of a heatwave. The coldest night in 2019 was to be 23rd February, when the thermometer dipped to 3.9˚C ahead of the strongest wind storm since 1982.

    Total rainfall over the course of 2019 was close to average. A total of 559.2 mm was measured last year. The wettest month last year was November, followed closely by October. The two months accounted for almost half of the total annual rainfall. Both spring and autumn were notably wetter than average. As usual, summer was extremely dry. The number of days with rain, thunder and hail were all greater than normal. The highest 24-hour total was of 47.8 mm on 11th November. This broke no records, and was in fact, much lower than what one would normally expect in a typical year. There were no severe rainfall events in 2019.

    Averaging at 16.2 km/h, the wind speed conformed with the value of a typical year. February set new records with regards to wind, however. February is typically a windy month. This year, it was certainly no different. The highest gust last month was registered at 101km/h from the Southeast. This was the strongest ever recorded at our weather station in Għarb. It was during the worst Gregalata since 1982.

    Overall, the average atmospheric pressure was also very close to the norm. The highest value of atmospheric pressure was recorded on the 15th, 17th and 18th of February. It reached 1030 hPa on all three days. The lowest value of atmospheric pressure, on the other hand, was taken on 25th January. It dropped to 987hPa for some moments.

    2019’s highlight was without a doubt the record-breaking Gregale on 23rd and 24th February. The system that produced the severe gale was a Mediterranean cyclone. The Mediterranean cyclone that formed late on Saturday 23/02 and lasted till late on Sunday 24/02, was the very first since the one in November 2014. A strong jet-stream blew some very warm and humid air masses from the Ionian Sea, the Gulf of Gabes and the Gulf of Sirte towards the central Mediterranean. Simulateneously, frigid air from over the Balkans penetrated the central Mediterranean, initiating the process of Mediterranean Cyclone development. This was the strongest wind since the year 1982. A gust of 101km/h (Force 10) broke the long-standing wind gust record at our weather station in Għarb. The storm-force winds left behind a trail of destruction.

     

     

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