Updates

An anticyclone over the Mediterranean will strengthen and expand. A current of hot and dry air from over the Sahara Desert will establish itself across the central Mediterranean by midweek. Temperatures will heat up steadily in the first half of the week. Maximum temperatures will rise from 30°C on Monday 20/6 to 36°C + from Thursday 23/6 onward. Minimum temperatures will also rise substantially, from 21°C on Monday 20/6 to 25°C + by the weekend. Nights will feel particularly warm and sticky by the weekend. All days will feature uninterrupted bright sunshine. Most days will feature The wind a light (possibly moderate at times in the afternoon) wind from a predominantly West Northwest direction. The UV Index will alternate between 10 and 11+ over the coming week. These are the highest values on the scale. A UV Index of 10 and 11+ means extreme risk of harm from unprotected exposure to the Sun.

An area if high pressure will extend across the central Mediterranean. It will strengthen gradually as the week progresses. This will bring calmer conditions to the central Mediterranean. Winds will be mainly light, with its direction shifting from one day to the next. Temperatures will be warmer than in recent days, but largely stable. Maximum temperatures will hover at 28°C to 31°C. Minimum temperatures will be at the level of 20°C / 21°C. Weekdays will feature long hours of uninterrupted bright sunshine. Skies may turn mainly sunny to partly cloudy over the weekend.

The first heatwave of the season will linger into the start of the week. It will last till Tuesday 7/6. A low pressure system moving across central Italy around midweek will direct a current of cool air towards the central Mediterranean. This will cause temperatures to dip to below 30°C again from Wednesday 8/6 through to Saturday 11/6. They will rise again to 30°C + levels by Sunday 12/6. Maximum temperatures will range from 28°C to 33°C this week. Minimum temperatures will vary from 19°C to 23°C. Monday 6/6 and Wednesday 8/6 will be particularly breezy. The Northwest wind will blow at up to Force 6 on both days. The rest of the days will feature mainly light winds. Whilst the cooler days may be characterized by partly cloudy skies, most days will bring hours of uninterrupted bright sunshine.

ENGLISH/INGLIŻ

A stream of hot air from the Sahara Desert will extend across the western and central Mediterranean this week. The arrival of hot air from the desert marks the first heat spell of the year. Maximum temperatures will hover at 33°C / 34°C for a week. Minimum temperatures will be in the region of 22°C / 23°C. The air will feel very humid at times. This is because the sun will continue evaporating water from last weekend’s rain showers. High levels of relative humidity make the air feel warmer and clammier than it actually is, especially at night. The UV Index will climb higher. It will alternate between 10 and 11+ over the coming week. These are the highest values on the scale. A UV Index of 10 and 11+ indicates extreme risk of harm from unprotected exposure to the Sun. Direct exposure to the sun should be avoided at the peak hours of 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. If outdoors, seek shade where possible. You should wear protective clothing, sunscreen, a hat and UV-blocking sunglasses. Keep in mind that bright surfaces such as sand and water will increase UV exposure. Keep in mind that prolonged exposure and/or physical activity in the heat can lead to some serious heat disorders. Another risk worth being aware of is that of grass fires. The landscape at this time of year is parched. Some spots are covered in tall dry grass. Many valleys are covered in reeds. The heat elevates the risk of grass fires. As a result, The Fire Weather Index reaches an extremely high level locally.

Be careful in the summer months and follow these precautions to minimize the risk of any of the hazards associated with extreme heat. Precautions include:

– Shut windows and pull down the shades when it is hotter outside. Open again when cool.

– Stay in the coolest part of any building if possible.

– Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

– Have cool baths or showers.

– Drink cold drinks regularly, such as water or juice. Avoid hot and/or dehydrating drinks.

– If outdoors, seek shade and wear protective clothing.

– Check up on friends, relatives and neighbors who may be less able to look after themselves.

– Wear SPF 30+ sunscreen and sunglasses.

– Watch out for bright surfaces, like sand and water, which reflect UV and increase exposure.

– Keep all pets and possibly stray animals in a cool area.

– Do not take pets out for walks in the sun (you may have shoes to protect your feet but their paws are in contact with the hot ground).

– Never leave anyone (including pets) in closed vehicles.

– Be more careful with materials conducive to fires (such as BBQs, cigarettes, glass disposal, garden litter etc …)

Remember that babies, young children, people with underlying conditions, pregnant women, the elderly and others whose job includes being physically active are at a greater risk.

All in all, we’re certain that the transition to summer is at an advanced stage now! We repeat our long-standing outlook for this year’s summer: It’s likely that this summer will be characterized by long waves of sweltering heat that will be broken up by occasional brief episodes of cooler than average temperatures and breezy conditions. These would bring some respite from recurrent waves of searing heat.

MALTI / MALTESE

Kurrenti ta’ arja taħraq minn fuq id-deżert se jestendi lejn il-punent u ċ-ċentru tal-Mediterran matul il-ġimgħa. Il-wasal ta’ din l-arja sħuna tagħti bidu għall-ewwel mewġa ta’ sħana għal din is-sena. Għal madwar ġimgħa, it-temperatura massima se tkun fil-livell ta’ 33°C / 34°C. It-temperatura minima tkun ta’ 22°C / 23°C. L-arja se tinħass umda’ ħafna kultant. Dan minħabba l-fatt li x-xemx se tkompli tevapora l-ilma tax-xita li kellna fi tmiem il-ġimgħa. Livelli għoljin ta’ umdita’ jwasslu biex l-arja tinħass aktar sħuna u mdellka, speċjalment billejl. L-Indiċi UV se żżid ukoll. Din se tvarja bejn 10 u 11+ matul din il-ġimgħa. Dawn huma l-ogħla valuri fuq l-iskala u jindikaw riskju estrem ta’ ħsara minn espożizzjoni diretta għax-xemx. Għandek tieħu prekawzzjonijiet addizzjonali biex tevita ħsara lil ġilda u għajnejn. Jekk inhu possibbli, naqqas il-ħin li tqatta fix-xemx bejn 10 a.m. u 4 p.m. Jekk ma tistax tagħmel mod ieħor; fittex li toqgħod fid-dell kull x’ħin tista u ara li tilbes ilbies li joffri protezzjoni mix-xemx. Dawn jinkludu beritta/kappell, nuċċali tax-xemx li jilqa għal UV kif ukoll li tuża sunscreen SPF 30+. Uċuħ ċari bħal ma huma r-ramel u l-baħar iżidu l-qawwi ta’ l-UV. Strapazz u attivita fiżika eċċessiva fl-aktar partijiet sħan tal-ġurnata jistgħu iwasslu għal numru ta’ kundizzjonijiet assoċjati ma’ sħana qawwija ħafna. Riskju addizzjonali li huwa sew tkunu tafu bih huwa dak ta’ riskju ta’ nirien. Il-kampanja bħalissa niexfa. Xi nħawi huma miksija b’ħaxix twil ħafna u niexef. Il-widien ikunu mimlija qasab. Is-sħana twassal biex ir-riskju ta’ nirien ikun elevat.

Oqgħodu attenti matul ix-xhur tas-sajf u segwu dawn il-messaġġi ta’ prekawzjonijiet biex tnaqqsu r-riskju tal-perikli msemmija hawn fuq. Dawn jinkludu:

– Agħlqu t-twieqi u l-blinds/shutters fl-eqqel tas-sħana. Erġa iftaħ x’ħin jiffriska.

– Oqgħodu fl-aktar parti friska tal-bini.

– Evitaw li toqgħodu fix-xemx bejn 11am u 4pm.

– Inħaslu b’ilma frisk.

– Ixorbu xarbiet kesħin ta’ spiss. Pruvaw evitaw te’, kafe’ u alkoħol.

– Jekk tkunu barra, sibu d-dell u lbsu lbies addattat, kappell u nuċċali tax-xemx.

– Iċċekjaw li qraba, ħbieb u ġirien li ma jistgħux jieħdu ħsieb tagħhom infushom, ikunu sew.

– Użaw SPF 30+ sunscreen u nuċċali tax-xemx.

– Żommu l-annimali tagħkom u anke dawk tat-triq jekk possibbli f’post frisk.

– Toħorġux lil klieb jimxu fix-xemx (intom għandkom żarbun jipproteġikom mil-art tikwi, l-annimali ma għandhomx).

– Qatt tħalli lil ħadd, inkluż annimali, f’vetturi.

– Użaw materjali fjammabbli b’aktar reqqa (bħal BBQs, sigaretti, ħġieġ, kimiċi tal-pool, skart organiku etc …).

Ftakkru li trabi, tfal żgħar, nies b’kundizzjonijiet li ma jidhrux, nisa tqal, xjuħ u nies li jaħdmu fuq barra għandhom riskju akbar.

Ma hemmx dubju li l-qalba għal temp sajfi issa hija fi stat avvanzat ħafna! Nirrepetu it-tbassir fit-tul li kien ilna ngħidu dwaru għal dan is-sajf: Jidher li s-sajf se jkun ikkarateriżżat minn numru ta’ episodji twal ta’ sħana qalila, b’waqtiet qosra ta’ temp anqas sħun u xi ftit mirjieħ bejniethom. Dawn iġibu xi ftit soljev mis-sħana tas-sajf minn żmien għal ieħor.

A zone of high pressure will take hold of our region on Monday 30/5. This will strengthen rapidly as the week progresses, and will extend across much of western and central Europe. This setting will create and maintain a flow of hot air from the desert across our region. All days from Tuesday 31/5 onward will feature maximum temperatures of 32°C to 35°C. Monday 30/5, this week’s ‘coolest’ day, will feature a 30°C maximum temperature. Minimum temperatures will be a warm 22°C / 23°C on most nights. With the exception of a gentle afternoon breeze along the coast, this week will be relatively calm. The wind speed will average Force 1 to 2 on most days. Nights will be calm. Wind direction will vary. All seven days will feature plentiful bright sunshine.

This week will be off to a sunny, hot and calm start. The southerly winds that will blow across the central Mediterranean during the first half of this week will cause temperatures to soar. Daytime highs will reach the 30°C level for the first time this year. Nighttime lows will be in the region of 19°C / 20°C for the first few nights. Monday 23/5 and Tuesday 24/5 will be practically windless. The wind will start picking up after midweek. The uninterrupted bright sunshine at the start of the week will be replaced by partly to variably cloudy skies. A shift in wind direction will take place on Friday 27/5. A breezy northwesterly will cause temperatures to dip over the weekend, with daytime highs hovering at 25°C and nighttime lows once again falling to below 20°C.

Another week of unsettled weather is on the cards for the Maltese Islands. A zone of high pressure that will develop across the central Mediterranean at the start of the week will be pushed away by a low pressure system that will emerge from north Africa after midweek. This constant emergence of low pressure systems from over the Sahara Desert is the reason behind the unsettled weather we’re experiencing. The first few days this week will feature mainly sunny or partly cloudy skies. Cloud cover will increase in the second half of the week. Some dirty rain is possible over the weekend. A distinct haze will persist on most days. This will be due to the persistent presence of airborne fine desert sand. Temperatures will be cooler than average for this time of year. Maximum temperatures will be in the range of 21°C to 24°C. Minimum temperatures will vary from 14°C to 17°C. The wind will be mainly light to moderate till midweek. It will strengthen from midweek, and may reach up to Force 7 at times. The wind will blow from a predominantly southeasterly to northeasterly direction. The only exception to this will be Monday 2/5, when the wind will blow from the northwesterly.

A few days last week were marred by airborne fine desert sand, a very strong Sirocco and overcast skies. Temperatures were noticeably warmer overall though. This improvement in temperatures will be maintained, as all days this week will feature 20°C + maximum temperatures. Minimum temperatures will be in the region of 14°C to 16°C. Although these temperatures conform with the norm for the time of year, they will still feel significantly cooler in stronger winds. This week will be off to a Calm start. The light wind will give way to breezier conditions by midweek. The wind will blow from a predominantly easterly direction this week. Episodes of gusty winds are possible towards the end of the week. The first half of the week will be characterized by sunny spells. The weather will likely take a cloudier turn for the second half of the week. There will be some airborne fine desert sand around. This will not be as extensive as the dusty episode experienced earlier this week, however.

ENGLISH/INGLIŻ

An instense storm system will develop over Tunisia and move rapidly across the Thyrrenian Sea towards central Italy on Thursday 21^st April. This will generate a brief but intense episode of a gusty Sirocco across our area. This warning is valid from 00:00 till 19:00 on Thursday 21^st April, and may be updated if necessary.

Thursday 21^st April

00:00 to 03:00 – Southeast Force 5 to 6 (with gusts of up to Force 8)

03:00 to 06:00 – Southeast Force 5 to 6 (with gusts of up to Force 8)

06:00 to 09:00 – Southeast Force 6 to 7 (with gusts of up to Force 9)

09:00 to 12:00 – South Southeast Force 6 to 7 (with gusts of up to Force 9)

12:00 to 15:00 – South Southeast Force 6 to 7 (with gusts of up to Force 10)

15:00 to 19:00 – South Southeast Force 6 to 7 (with gusts of up to Force 10)

The peak gusts will blow across the Maltese Islands from the late morning till the late afternoon of Thursday 21^st April, when they could reach up to Force 10 across the most exposed of areas across the Maltese Islands. The sea will be rough to very rough, with wave heights of up to 6 metres from the Southeast in peak gusts.

The wind will die down rapidly in the early evening, becoming Force 3 to 4 and shifting to the West. The sea will take a bit longer to calm down. A shift in wind direction may cause crossing swells and a confused sea state at times into Friday 22^nd April. The interaction of swell waves from opposite directions sometimes leads to confused and overlapping swells. A confused swell may be a hazard for swimmers and scuba divers, especially when further away from the shore. Crossing swells may also make boat handling more difficult. We advise you to keep this mind and be more cautious anywhere in the Maltese Islands.

MALTI / MALTESE

Sistema’ intensa ta’ maltemp se tiżviluppa fuq it-Tuneżija u se tgħaddi malajr minn fuq il-Baħar Tirren lejn iċ-ċentru ta’ l-Italja nhar il-Ħamis 21 ta’ April. Din se tiġġenera episodju qasir iżda intens ta’ riħ b’buffuri qawwija mix-Xlokk fl-inħawi tagħna. Din it-twissija se tkun fis-seħħ minn 00:00 sa 19:00 tal-Ħamis 21 ta’ April, u tista tiġi aġġornata kif ikun hemm bżonn.

Il-Ħamis 21 ta’ April

00:00 sa 03:00 – Xlokk Forza 5 għal 6 (b’buffuri sa Forza 8)

03:00 sa 06:00 – Xlokk Forza 5 għal 6 (b’buffuri sa Forza 8)

06:00 sa 09:00 – Xlokk Forza 6 għal 7 (b’buffuri sa Forza 9)

09:00 sa 12:00 – Nofsinhar ix-Xlokk Forza 6 għal 7 (b’buffuri sa Forza 9)

12:00 sa 15:00 – Nofsinhar ix-Xlokk Forza 6 għal 7 (b’buffuri sa Forza 10)

15:00 sa 19:00 – Nofsinhar ix-Xlokk Forza 6 għal 7 (b’buffuri sa Forza 10)

Il-buffuri l-aktar qawwija se jolqtu lill-Gżejjer Maltin minn tard filgħodu sa tard wara nofsinhar tal-Ħamis 21 ta’ April, meta dawn jistgħu jmissu Forza 10 fl-aktar inħawi esposti tal-Gżejjer Maltin. Il-baħar se jkun qawwi għal qawwi ħafna, b’mewġ għoli 6 metri fl-agħar buffuri.

Ir-riħ se jonqos f’daqqa minn kmieni filgħaxija, u jsir Forza 3 għal 4 filwaqt li jaqleb Punent. Il-baħar idum ftit aktar biex jikkalma. Il-bidla fir-riħ tista twassal biex imbatt minn direzzjonijiet opposti jiltaqgħa. Dan jaf iwassal għal baħar imħawwad. Dan jista jkun ta’ xkiel kemm għal għawwiema u bugħaddasa, speċjalment jekk ikunu imbiegħda mill-kosta. Imbatt imħawwad kapaċi jagħmilha aktar difiċli biex tikkontrolla opri tal-baħar żgħar. Navżawkom biss biex tkunu kawti u żżommu dan f’moħħkom kull fejn tkunu madwar il-Gżejjer Maltin.

After a week of turbulent meteorological conditions across the central Mediterranean, a ridge of high pressure is likely to bring about a gradual improvement in weather to the Maltese Islands. Most days this week will feature mainly sunny or partly cloudy skies. The only exception will be the possibility of an isolated shower in the early hours of Monday 18/4 and the possibility of a grey sky on Thursday 21/4. The wind will be mainly light to moderate. An episode of a strong to very strong wind from the Southeast is possible around midweek. A warning for this may need to be posted at a closer date. This would be accompanied by airborne fine desert sand. The situation will then improve substantially for the weekend, with the final days of the week looking set to bring spring-like weather to our shores. Temperatures will rise gradually over the course of this week. Daytime highs will warm up substantially from a below-average 17°C to an above-average 23°C. Nighttime lows will also increase from a fresh 11°C to a more comfortable 14°C.