Reports

End of Month Reports

Warmer and Drier December 2019

Air Temperature

Highest Maximum 22.5°C 3rd
Lowest Maximum 12.0°C 29th
Highest Minimum 16.4°C 3rd and 18th 
Lowest Minimum 6.5°C 30th

 

Mean Maximum 17.5°C
Mean Minimum 13.5°C
Mean 15.5°C

 

Relative Humidity

Highest Relative Humidity 100% Several days
Lowest Relative Humidity 54% 28th

 

Mean Relative Humidity 83.5%

 

Atmospheric Pressure

Highest Atmospheric Pressure 1028.9hPa 31st
Lowest Atmospheric Pressure 1000.8hPa 14th

 

Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1017.7hPa

 

Wind

Highest Gust 82.1km/h 14th

 

Mean Wind Speed 14.0km/h
Mean Gust Speed 45.6km/h
Mean Wind + Gust Speed 29.8km/h
Most Frequent Wind Direction Northwest

 

Precipitation

Total Rainfall During December 2019 34.6 mm https://southafrica-ed.com/kamagra-in-south-africa/
Total Rainfall Since Last 01/09 348.3 mm

 

Highest 24 Hour Total 11.0 mm 10th

 

Rain Days 10
Thunderstorm Days 3
Hail Days 4

 

Rainfall Events

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

 

December 2019 Compared to the Climate Means 

  Climate Mean December 2019 Anomaly
Mean Maximum Temperature 17.1°C 20.7°C +0.4°C
Mean Minimum Temperature 11.8°C 15.6°C +1.7°C
Mean Temperature 14.5°C 18.2°C +1.0°C
Mean Relative Humidity 79% 71.7% +4.5%
Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1017.3hPa 1012.3hPa +0.4hPa
Mean Wind Speed 18.2 km/h 10.0km/h -4.2km/h
Most Frequent Wind Direction Northwest South
Total Rainfall 109.7 mm 129.3 mm -75.1 mm
Total Rainfall Since Last 01/09 342.1 mm 313.7 mm +6.2 mm
Total Rain Days 14 10 -4
Total Thunderstorm Days 4 3 -1
Total Hail Days 1 4 +3


Warmer and Drier December 2019

Temperatures throughout the last month of 2019 followed the trend set in previous months. Daytime highs exceeded the norm by just less than half a degree. Nighttime lows, on the other hand, were almost a solid 2˚C warmer than average. December 2019 started on a very warm note, with maximum temperatures of around 20˚C throughout the first week. Nighttime lows never dipped below the 16˚C mark for the duration of the first week. A few days with cooler than average temperature values followed. This didn’t last long, however, as warm conditions returned to the Maltese Islands by mid-December. These prevailed till after Christmas, when the first cold snap of winter gripped the central Mediterranean. It was at this time, that the coldest day and night were measured, with temperatures of 12.0˚C and 6.5˚C respectively.

In a stark contrast to the previous autumnal months, December 2019 was very dry. The 34.6 mm accumulated during the month were a full 75 mm short of the climate average. A typical December is the wettest month of the year. This was the result of anticyclonic conditions that prevailed over the central and eastern Mediterranean. These acted as a barrier, deviating the majority of storm systems to the north. The 10 days of rain and 3 days of thunder observed last month less than the average for this time of year. The 4 days of hail exceeded the climate average, however.

Averaging at 14.0 km/h, the wind speed was weaker than the norm. Weaker winds have been a dominant feature of autumn so far. The month’s windiest day was the 14th, when a gust of 82.1 km/h (Force 9) blowing from a Northwest direction was recorded.

Atmospheric pressure conformed with the norm.

Last month’s highlight was a severe Mistral on the 14th. A depression (980hPa) formed over the Gulf of Genoa, and migrated across Italy and into central/southern Adriatic Sea. Simultaneously, a ridge of high pressure developed to its east, over France. The pressure difference generated a severe gale from the Northwest across the central Mediterranean. The depression was derived from one which had produced a windstorm across the British Isles and northwest Europe some days before. This was only the second gale in an otherwise unusually calm autumn. The bulk of last month’s precipitation was produced by this system. The severe gale-force winds and heavy rain from the system caused disruption and some light damage.

Reports, Updates

This week: A warm and humid southerly wind to prevail

It’s been a windy and rather wet week for the Maltese Islands. The low pressure system that brought days of unstable weather to our shores has moved east, allowing an area of high pressure to take over. This area of high pressure will strengthen. This will ensure fine weather on most days this week. There will be plenty of sunshine on most days, with the exception of a day or two, when lots of high clouds are to be expected. No significant rainfall is being anticipated this week. Some nights will be characterised by mist or fog patches and some heavy dewfall, however. The wind is set to shift to the South, and remain so till the weekend, when it will back Northwest again. It will be moderate to strong on most days. Temperatures will rise again. Throughout the week, highs will range between 19 C and 21 C. On the other hand, lows will vary from a more seasonal 12 C to a rather warm 17 C.

Severe Weather Reports

Severe Mistral on 14/12/2019

A depression (980hPa) formed over the Gulf of Genoa, and migrated across Italy and into central/southern Adriatic Sea. Simultaneously, a ridge of high pressure developed to its east, over France. The pressure difference generated a severe gale from the Northwest across the central Mediterranean. The depression was derived from one which had produced a windstorm across the British Isles and northwest Europe some days before.

This was only the second gale in an otherwise unusually calm autumn. A maximum wind gust of 82.1 km/h (Force 9) from the Northwest was measured by our weather station in Għarb. Even stronger gusts of around 100 km/h (Force 10) were measured on high ground. The severe gale-force mistral winds caused minor disruption and also some light damage.

The damage included uprooted trees, broken branches and collapsed walls. The ferry linking the two islands of Gozo and Malta had to be rerouted throughout the day. Catamaran journeys between Malta and Sicily were cancelled. The Ħaġar Qim temple complex was closed off to the public briefly after a protective shelter was damaged by the wind. A stand shelter at the Centenary Stadium was damaged, leading to two matches being called off https://polska-ed.com/kupic-generic-cialis/.

Thanks to Andrea Muscat for the photos!

End of Month Reports

November 2019 brings more Wetter than Average Weather

Air Temperature

Highest Maximum 25.9°C 6th
Lowest Maximum 16.7°C 12th
Highest Minimum 19.1°C 3rd
Lowest Minimum 11.6°C 11th

 

Mean Maximum 20.7°C
Mean Minimum 15.6°C
Mean 18.2°C

 

Relative Humidity

Highest Relative Humidity 100% Several days
Lowest Relative Humidity 39% 10th

 

Mean Relative Humidity 71.7%

 

Atmospheric Pressure

Highest Atmospheric Pressure 1021.3hPa 30th
Lowest Atmospheric Pressure 996.2hPa 12th

 

Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1012.3hPa

 

Wind

Highest Gust 61.2km/h 25th

 

Mean Wind Speed 10.0km/h
Mean Gust Speed 37.6km/h
Mean Wind + Gust Speed 23.8km/h
Most Frequent Wind Direction South

 

Precipitation

Total Rainfall During November 2019 129.3 mm
Total Rainfall Since Last 01/09 313.7 mm

 

Highest 24 Hour Total 47.8 mm 11th

 

Rain Days 14
Thunderstorm Days 4
Hail Days 3

 

Rainfall Events

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
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

 

November 2019 Compared to the Climate Means 

  Climate Mean November 2019 Anomaly
Mean Maximum Temperature 20.6°C 20.7°C +0.1°C
Mean Minimum Temperature 14.5°C 15.6°C +1.1°C
Mean Temperature 17.6°C 18.2°C +0.6°C
Mean Relative Humidity 77% 71.7% -5.3%
Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1017.9hPa 1012.3hPa -5.6hPa
Mean Wind Speed 16.3 km/h 10.0km/h -6.3km/h
Most Frequent Wind Direction Northwest South 135°
Total Rainfall 93.6 mm 129.3 mm +35.7 mm
Total Rainfall Since Last 01/09 232.4 mm 313.7 mm +81.3 mm
Total Rain Days 11 14 +3
Total Thunderstorm Days 4 4 0
Total Hail Days 1 3 +2


November 2019 brings more Wetter than Average Weather

The autumnal transition continued over the course of November. However, air temperatures remained relatively warm throughout the month, rising to over 20°C on most days. Daytime highs followed typical patterns. Nighttime lows were particularly warm, however. At 20.7˚C, daytime highs exceeded the norm by only a fraction of a degree. At 19.4˚C, nights were just more than a degree warmer than average. Temperatures were fairly consistent over the past four weeks. November air temperatures ranged from a pleasant maximum of 25.9˚C to a cool minimum of 11.6˚C.

The 129.3 mm of rain measured last month exceeded the 93.6 mm expected in November of a typical year. This was the result of spells of bad weather brought about by unstable weather patterns which traversed the central Mediterranean on a consistent basis. The 14 days of rain and 3 days of hail observed last month were greater than the average for this time of year. The 4 days of thunder conformed with the climate average.

Averaging at 10.0 km/h, the wind speed was weaker than the norm. Weaker winds have been a dominant feature of autumn so far. The month’s windiest day was the 25th, when a gust of 61.2 km/h (Force 8) blowing from a Northwest direction.

Atmospheric pressure was lower than the norm, perhaps due to the intense low pressure of a Mediterranean Tropical-Like Cyclone on the 11th and 12th.

Last mnth’s highlight was a Mediterranean Tropical-Like Cyclone on the 11th and 12th. It was responsible for most records this month. It accounted for the only single occasion when the air temperature varied considerably from one day to the next. The margin from the 11th to the 12th was of 5˚C. More than half of November 2019’s rain fell over a span of the two days. The highest 24 hour rainfall was measured at 47.8 mm on the 12th. The severe gale-force winds and heavy rain from the system caused disruption and some light damage.

Severe Weather Reports

Severe Gale-Force Wind and Heavy Rain on 11&12/11/2019

This was the strongest wind in months. A maximum wind gust of 78.9 km/h was measured in Nadur. The severe gale-force winds and heavy rain caused disruption and some light damage. In this report, we will describe what gave rise to this intense system and how it affected the Maltese Islands.

The intense system classified as a Mediterranean Tropical-Like Cyclone (or Medicane). Being the first one since February 2019, it formed early on Monday 11/11 and dissipated by late on Tuesday 12/11. A strong jet-stream blew a stream of very warm and humid air from over the Sahara Desert towards the western and central Mediterranean. Simultaneously, cold air from northern Europe penetrated the western Mediterranean. Both air masses clashed together, initiating the process of Mediterranean Tropical-Like Cyclone development. As a result of the clash, an existing low pressure system started intensifying very quickly, in a process referred to as cyclogenesis in meteorology. Atmospheric pressure at its centre dropped drastically, and a Mediterranean Cyclone was officially formed. The system made landfall in Algeria and lost most of its strength. Once it emerged over the very warm sea of the Gulf of Gabes, it regained strength. Its ‘eye’ was over the Sicilian Channel, close to the islands of Lampedusa and Linosa, at its closest point to the Maltese Islands.

The cold air mass within the stormy system caused temperatures to dip all around Malta and Gozo. In fact, the temperature at our weather station in Għarb dropped by some 7°C in one hour. An outer band of convection associated with the storm system affected parts of the Maltese Islands, especially Gozo, in the mid-afternoon on Monday 11/11. At its closest point, the Mediterranean Tropical-Like Cyclone drenched the Maltese Islands with a series of heavy rain and hail showers. These lasted all day Tuesday 12/11. The storm generated waves of up to 8.0 metres.

72.5 mm of rain were measured in the 48 hours that the storm system affected us. Għarb was the wettest locality. Thanks to this heavy precipitation, Għarb reached the monthly average for November before mid-month. The severe gale-force winds produced some light damage. The damage included uprooted trees, collapsed walls and downed power lines. A number of coastal areas suffered extensive flooding from the high waves. The ferry linking the two islands of Gozo and Malta was suspended for over 12 hours, as the very rough sea made crossing the channel too dangerous. Similarly, several catamaran journeys between Malta and Sicily were cancelled.

Thanks to Andrea Muscat for the photos!

End of Month Reports

Warmer but Wetter October 2019

Air Temperature

Highest Maximum 27.7°C 2nd
Lowest Maximum 21.3°C 27th
Highest Minimum 22.2°C 1st
Lowest Minimum 15.7°C 28th

 

Mean Maximum 25.0°C
Mean Minimum 19.4°C
Mean 22.2°C

 

Relative Humidity

Highest Relative Humidity 72% Several days
Lowest Relative Humidity 41% 4th brasil-libido.com

 

Mean Relative Humidity 62.4%

 

Atmospheric Pressure

Highest Atmospheric Pressure 1023.9hPa 13th
Lowest Atmospheric Pressure 1002.9hPa 7th

 

Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1016.7hPa

 

Wind

Highest Gust 59.5km/h 8th

 

Mean Wind Speed 7.9km/h
Mean Gust Speed 31.3km/h
Mean Wind + Gust Speed 19.6km/h
Most Frequent Wind Direction Northwest

 

Precipitation

Total Rainfall During October 2019 106.0 mm
Total Rainfall Since Last 01/09 184.4 mm

 

Highest 24 Hour Total 24.6 mm 28th

 

Rain Days 11
Thunderstorm Days 8
Hail Days 1

 

Rainfall Events

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 Thunderstorms
29/10/2019 10.0 mm Thunderstorm
30/10/2019 4.5 mm Thunderstorm
31/10/2019 1.0 mm Isolated Shower

 

October 2019 Compared to the Climate Means 

  Climate Mean October 2019 Anomaly
Mean Maximum Temperature 24.8°C 25.0°C +0.2°C
Mean Minimum Temperature 17.9°C 19.4°C +1.5°C
Mean Temperature 21.4°C 22.2°C +0.8°C
Mean Relative Humidity 78% 62.4% -15.6%
Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1017.6hPa 1017.3hPa -0.3hPa
Mean Wind Speed 14.1 km/h 7.9km/h +6.2km/h
Most Frequent Wind Direction Northwest Northwest
Total Rainfall 83.3 mm 106.0 mm +22.7 mm
Total Rainfall Since Last 01/09 138.8 mm 184.4 mm +45.6 mm
Total Rain Days 10 11 +1
Total Thunderstorm Days 5 8 +3
Total Hail Days 1 1 0


Warmer but Wetter October 2019

October air temperatures ranged from a pleasant maximum of 27.7˚C and a cool minimum of 15.7˚C. They were recorded towards the start and the end of the month respectively. With a mean air temperature of 22.2˚C, October was warmer than average. At 25.0˚C, daytime highs almost conformed with the norm. At 19.4˚C, nights were much warmer than average. Overall, temperatures were consistent throughout October, with no notable heat or cold spells.

The 106.0 mm of rain measured last month exceeded the 83.3 mm expected in October of a typical year. More than half of October 2019’s rain fell in the last week of the month. This was the result of showers and thunderstorms produced by an unstable air mass which remained almost stationary over the central Mediterranean. The 11 days of rain and 8 days of thunder observed last month were greater than the average for this time of year. The highest 24 hour rainfall was measured at 24.6 mm on the 28th, during a set of thunderstorms. The 7th, with a total of 24.1 mm, came in at a close second. A notable pattern observed throughout October were the long periods of dry weather in between equally long periods of wet weather.

Averaging at 7.9 km/h, the wind speed was lower than the norm by half. Weaker winds have been a dominant feature of autumn so far. The month’s windiest day was the 8th, on which a maximum gust of 59.5 km/h blowing from an easterly direction was recorded.

Atmospheric pressure was in line with the norm.

 

Reports, Updates

Stable temperatures ahead / It-temperaturi se jibqgħu stabbli

Low pressure will persist over the western Mediterranean. Meanwhile, high pressure will prevail across the central and eastern Mediterranean. This will generate a flow of air from the south to southeast across our region. This will prevail for some days. The southerly wind will mean mild temperatures for the Maltese Islands till possibly the end of October. Temperatures will be above the average for this time of year. Maximum temperatures will hover around the 25 C mark, while lows will be of 19 C to 20 C.  Any precipitation will be in the form of isolated showers. No major rainfall events are being anticipated till the end of October.

Pressjoni baxxa se tippersisti lejn il-punent tal-Mediterran. Sadattant, pressjoni għolja se tkompli tkopri ċ-ċentru u lvant tal-Mediterran. Din se twassal għal riħ minn nofsinhar għal-xlokk. Dan se jippersisti għal numru ta’ jiem. Dan ir-riħ se jfisser temperaturi kemmxejn sħan għal Gżejjer Maltin possibilment sa l-aħħar ta’ Ottubru. It-temperaturi se jkunu ogħla mill-medja għal dan iż-żmien tas-sena. L-ogħla se jkunu ta’ 25 C, filwaqt li l-anqas se jvarjaw minn 19 C sa 20 C. Kwalunkwe xita se tkun fil-forma ta’ ħalbiet iżolati. Mhu qed nistennew l-ebda episodji ta’ xita severi sa l-aħħar ta’ Ottubru.

End of Month Reports

Warmer but Wetter September 2019

Air Temperature

Highest Maximum 29.9°C 3rd
Lowest Maximum 25.7°C 10th
Highest Minimum 24.5°C 1st
Lowest Minimum 18.6°C 11th

 

Mean Maximum 28.7°C
Mean Minimum 22.3°C
Mean 25.5°C

 

Relative Humidity

Highest Relative Humidity 72% Several days
Lowest Relative Humidity 40% 13th

 

Mean Relative Humidity 62.4%

 

Atmospheric Pressure

Highest Atmospheric Pressure 1025.2hPa 12th
Lowest Atmospheric Pressure 1009.8hPa 10th

 

Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1017.3hPa

 

Wind

Highest Gust 48.3km/h 7th

 

Mean Wind Speed 8.2km/h
Mean Gust Speed 29.7km/h
Mean Wind + Gust Speed 19.0km/h
Most Frequent Wind Direction Northwest

 

Precipitation

Total Rainfall During September 2019 78.4 mm
Total Rainfall Since Last 01/09 78.4 mm

 

Highest 24 Hour Total 44.7 mm 10th

 

Rain Days 8
Thunderstorm Days 4
Hail Days 1

 

Rainfall Events

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

 

September 2019 Compared to the Climate Means 

  Climate Mean September 2019 Anomaly
Mean Maximum Temperature 28.3°C 28.7°C +0.4°C
Mean Minimum Temperature 20.8°C 22.3°C +1.5°C
Mean Temperature 24.6°C 25.5°C +0.9°C
Mean Relative Humidity 77% ed-hrvatski.com 62.4% -14.6%
Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1017.4hPa 1017.3hPa -0.1hPa
Mean Wind Speed 13.7 km/h 19.0km/h +5.3km/h
Most Frequent Wind Direction Northwest Northwest
Total Rainfall 55.5 mm 78.4 mm +22.9 mm
Total Rainfall Since Last 01/09 55.5 mm 78.4 mm +22.9 mm
Total Rain Days 4 8 +4
Total Thunderstorm Days 3 4 +1
Total Hail Days 1 1 0


Warmer but Wetter September 2019

A warmer than average September brought summer 2019 to a close. The mean temperature was calculated at 25.5°C, 0.9°C higher than the climate norm. Nights were particularly warm. Temperatures were consistent throughout September, with no extreme values. The warmest day was the 3rd with a high of 29.9°C. The coolest temperature was recorded at 18.6°C, during a thunderstorm on the 11th.

September 2019 produced 78.4 mm of precipitation at our weather station in Għarb. The first half of the month was especially wet, with 99% of the month’s rainfall falling during the initial two weeks. The second half of the month was practically completely dry. The highest 24 hour rainfall was measured at 44.7 mm on the 10th, during a heavy thunderstorm. Another notable rainfall event this month was a thunderstorm on the 2nd. The striking feature in this particular storm was the incessant lightning that affected the Maltese Islands, particularly Gozo. There were 8 days of rain in September 2019. 4 of these were accompanied by thunder. Some hail was observed on 1 of these.

Humidity was also low when compared to the norm. This was due to the higher than average temperatures. Another contributing factor was the plentiful sunshine that characterized the final two weeks of September 2019.

Atmospheric pressure was in line with the norm. A relatively stable second half of the month compensated for the instability experienced in the first half of September 2019.

The wind was stronger than usual. Despite this, no extremes were measured. The strongest gust was measured at only 48.3 km/h from the Northwest on the 7th.

 

Severe Weather Reports

Heavy Thunderstorms on 10&11/09/2019

A series of heavy thunderstorms were caused due to an short-wave upper-level low pressure system which passed rapidly across the central Mediterranean bringing relatively cold air over a very warm sea, creating a great deal of instability. There was plenty of moisture in the atmosphere. This produced a Mesoscale Convective System (MCS) which passed over the Maltese Islands from the late afternoon till late at night. This caused a series of heavy thunderstorms with blustery spells and also some hail, especially over Gozo. An MCS is a mass of organised thunderstorms. They take on a round or linear shape with clear-cut edges. These features distinguish an MCS from other thunderstorm structures. Highest rainfall totals from this storm were: 50.1 mm in Għarb, 40.2 mm in Xagħra, 39.7 mm in Rabat (Malta), 32.0 mm in Victoria and 25.0 mm in Nadur. Thanks to this MCS, the total rainfall in Gozo for September 2019 is already higher than the climate average for the same month. With a total of 77.7 mm, Għarb is the wettest locality so far since September 1st.

Thanks to Andrea Muscat and Miklós Rajczi for the photos!

Severe Weather Reports

Waterspout on 06/09/2019

A moist and unstable atmosphere was present over the central Mediterranean, together with some wind shear (a difference in wind speed or direction over a relatively short distance in the atmosphere). A convective cloud with an intense updraft (a current of rising air) ingested and tightened a rotating layer of air. This led to the formation of a confirmed waterspout off Gozo’s northeast coast. The waterspout developed at around noon and lasted for less than 15 minutes. The same cloud produced a downpour over parts of Gozo. At least two funnel clouds were reported over the past few days. The instability that led to the formation of this waterspout was also responsible for the series of isolated thunderstorms that affected the Maltese Islands from Sunday 01/09 till Friday 06/09.

Thanks to Andrea Muscat, Audrey Marie Bartolo, Nyam Cassar and Jonathan Debono for the photos!