Updates

An anticyclone covering areas of north Africa and the western Mediterranean will continue to persist. This week will see the drier weather conditions which characterized the local situation for the past two week persist. This will continue deviating the storm track to the north, towards central and northern Europe. Most days this week will feature mainly sunny or partly cloudy skies. One or two isolated showers are possible around midweek, but the possibility for these continues to dip. Temperatures will remain warm. Daytime highs will be stable in the region of 17°C to 19°C, whilst nighttime lows will vary from 11°C to 14°C. Whist most days this week will bring light to moderate winds, a stronger wind from the West Northwest is likely around Tuesday 28/12 and Wednesday 29/12. Both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are likely to be characterized by fine, warm weather.

00:00 to 03:00 – partly cloudy; 11°C to 12°C; South Southwest Force 3 to 4
03:00 to 06:00 – partly cloudy; 12°C to 13°C; South Southwest Force 4 to 5
06:00 to 09:00 – variably cloudy; 13°C to 15°C; South Southwest Force 4 to 5
09:00 to 12:00 – mostly cloudy; 15°C to 18°C / 19°C; South Southwest Force 4 to 5
12:00 to 15:00 – overcast; 18°C / 19°C; South Southwest Force 4 to 5
15:00 to 18:00 – overcast; 18°C / 19°C to 16°C; South Southwest Force 4 to 5
18:00 to 21:00 – overcast; 16°C to 14°C / 15°C; South Southwest Force 4 to 5
21:00 to 00:00 – overcast; 14°C / 15°C; South Southwest Force 4 to 5

On Christmas Eve, in most villages and towns, one will come across The Children’s procession, whereby children singing Christmas Carols and carrying Christmas lanterns carry the statue of baby Jesus around the village. This tradition is believed to have been started in 1921 by the St.George Preca. Midnight Mass then follows the Children’s Procession. The Mass usually commences with Christmas Carol singing, the most popular Maltese Christmas Carol being, Ninni la Tibkix Izjed. The highlight of the Mass is the oldest of the Maltese Christmas traditions, the Child’s sermon, A child aged is chosen to recite the Nativity story. In the Maltese Islands, Christmas Day is a time to celebrate with family. The family gets together for a long lunch that extends into the evening. Don’t forget, however, to give a call to a lonely family member, friend or neighbour.

A ridge of high pressure over the central Mediterranean will persist. The drier and calmer conditions which characterized much of last week will persist for at least another seven days. Most days this week will feature partly cloudy skies. Some isolated light may occur, particularly around midweek. Temperatures will warm up as the week progresses, with daytime highs rising from 16°C to 19°C. Nighttime lows will rise from 10°C to 14°C. No gales are to be expected over the coming week, with the wind likely to be light to moderate for much of the time. We’re expecting the wind to blow from a predominantly southerly direction. Both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are likely to be characterized by fine, warm weather.

00:00 to 03:00 – variably cloudy with the possibility of an isolated shower; 11°C to 9°C; North Northwest Force 3 to 4
03:00 to 06:00 – variably cloudy with the possibility of an isolated shower; 8°C / 9°C; North Northwest Force 3 to 4
06:00 to 09:00 – mainly sunny or partly cloudy; 9°C to 12°C ; North Northwest Force 3 to 4
09:00 to 12:00 – mainly sunny or partly cloudy; 12°C to 15°C; North Northwest Force 3 to 4
12:00 to 15:00 – mainly sunny or partly cloudy; 14°C / 15°C; North Northwest Force 3 to 4
15:00 to 18:00 – mainly sunny or partly cloudy; 14°C to 13°C; North Northwest Force 3 to 4
18:00 to 21:00 – mainly clear or partly cloudy; 13°C to 12°C; North Northwest Force 3 to 4
21:00 to 00:00 – mainly clear or partly cloudy; 12°C to 11°C; North Northwest Force 3 to 4

On 13 December 1974, the constitution of Malta was substantially revised, transforming the State of Malta into a republic within the Commonwealth. The British monarch was no longer Reġina ta’ Malta (Queen of Malta) and the new head of state was the President. The first President was Sir Anthony Mamo. This occasion is marked every year as Republic Day (Maltese: Jum ir-Repubblika) in Malta. The monument of Republic Day is in Marsa.

A ridge of high pressure will extend across the central Mediterranean this week, promising drier and calmer weather conditions, especially when compared to what we have been experiencing in recent weeks. We’re expecting most days this week to be characterized by partly cloudy skies, with plentiful bright sunshine. A few isolated showers will still occur, however, mainly from Thursday 16/12 through to Saturday 18/12. No significant rainfall amounts are likely, however. Temperatures will be fairly stable. Daytime highs will be in the region of 15°C. Nighttime lows will hover at the 9°C level. The more stable weather means that no gales are to be expected over the coming week. The wind will be light to moderate for much of the time.

ENGLISH/INGLIŻ

An intense low pressure system over the Tyrrhenian Sea and higher pressure over the Iberian Peninsula will generate a very strong wind from the West Southwest to West Northwest across the central Mediterranean. This very strong wind will reach gale-force at times. This warning is valid from 15:00 on Friday 10^th December till 23:59 on Saturday 11^th  December. It will be updated if necessary. The information below describes how the situation is expected to develop over this time period:

Friday 10^th December

15:00 to 18:00 – West Southwest Force 6 (up to Force 7)

18:00 to 21:00 – West Southwest Force 6 to 7 (up to Force 8)

21:00 to 00:00 – West Southwest Force 7 (up to Force 8)

Saturday 11^th December

00:00 to 03:00 – West Southwest Force 7 (up to Force 8)

03:00 to 06:00 – West Northwest Force 6 (up to Force 7)

06:00 to 09:00 – West Northwest Force 6 to 7 (up to Force 8)

09:00 to 12:00 – West Northwest Force 8 (up to Force 9)

12:00 to 15:00 – West Northwest Force 8 (up to Force 9)

15:00 to 18:00 – West Northwest Force 7 (up to Force 8)

18:00 to 21:00 – West Northwest Force 6 (up to Force 7)

21:00 to 23:59 – West Northwest Force 6 (up to Force 7)

The West Northwest to Northwest wind will decrease gradually to become Force 3 to 4 by dawn on Sunday 12^th  December.

The peak gusts will blow across the Maltese Islands in the morning and early afternoon of Saturday 11^th December, when they could reach Force 10 at times across exposed areas of the Maltese Islands. The sea will be rough to very rough, with significant wave heights of up to 7 metres in peak gusts. The map indicates the stretch of coastline most exposed to this very rough sea.

Rain, which will be heavy and with small hail at times, is likely on Saturday 11^th December. The strong wind will also cause temperatures to feel much colder than they actually are.

MALTI/MALTESE

Kurrent ta’ arja se jiżviluppa bejn sistema ta’ pressjoni baxxa intensa fuq il-Baħar Tirren u pressjoni aktar għolja fuq il-Penisola Iberika. Dan se jieħu l-forma ta’ riħ qawwi ħafna mill-Punent Lbiċ għal Punent Majjistru madwar iċ-ċentru tal-Mediterran. Dan ir-riħ qawwi ħafna jista jilħaq il-qawwa ta’ riefnu kultant. It-twissija se tkun fis-seħħ minn 15:00 tal-Ġimgħa 10 ta’ Diċembru sa 23:59 tas-Sibt 11 ta’ Diċembru. Din it-twissija tiġi aġġornata kif ikun meħtieġ. L-informazzjoni ta’ hawn taħt tiddeskrivi kif se tiżviluppa s-sitwazzjoni matul il-ħin imsemmi:

Il-Ġimgħa 10 ta’ Diċembru

15:00 sa 18:00 – Punent Lbiċ Forza 6 (sa Forza 7)

18:00 sa 21:00 – Punent Lbiċ Forza 6 għal 7 (sa Forza 8)

21:00 sa 00:00 – Punent Lbiċ Forza 7 (sa Forza 8)

Is-Sibt 11 ta’ Diċembru

00:00 sa 03:00 – Punent Lbiċ Forza 7 (sa Forza 8)

03:00 sa 06:00 – Punent Majjistru Forza 6 (sa Forza 7)

06:00 sa 09:00 – Punent Majjistru Forza 6 għal 7 (sa Forza 8)

09:00 sa 12:00 – Punent Majjistru Forza 8 (sa Forza 9)

12:00 sa 15:00 – Punent Majjistru Forza 8 (sa Forza 9)

15:00 sa 18:00 – Punent Majjistru Forza 7 (sa Forza 8)

18:00 sa 21:00 – Punent Majjistru Forza 6 (sa Forza 7)

21:00 sa 23:59 – Punent Majjistru Forza 6 (sa Forza 7)

Ir-riħ mill-Punent Majjistru għal Majjistral se jibqa jonqos gradwalment u jsir Forza 3 għal 4 minn sbieħ tal-Ħadd 12 ta’ Diċembru.

Il-buffuri l-aktar qawwijin se jolqtu l-Gżejjer Maltin matul filgħodu u kmieni wara nofsinhar tas-Sibt 11 ta’ Di1embru, x’ħin jistgħu jilħqu Forza 10 kultant fl-inħawi l-aktar esposti tal-Gżejjer Maltin. Il-baħar se jkun qawwi għal qawwi ħafna, b’mewġ għoli 7 metri fl-agħar buffuri. Il-mappa tindika l-kosta l-aktar esposta għal dan il-baħar imqalleb ħafna.

Xita, li tista tkun qawwija u b’silġ żgħir kultant, mistenni għas-Sibt 11 ta’ Diċembru. Ir-riħ qawwi jfisser li t-temperaturi jkunu jinħassu ferm aktar kesħin minn kemm verament ikunu.

00:00 to 03:00 – partly cloudy; 14°C to 13°C; Northwest Force 4 to 5
03:00 to 06:00 – partly cloudy; 13°C to 12°C; West Northwest Force 3 to 4
06:00 to 09:00 – partly cloudy; 12°C to 14°C; West Southwest Force 3 to 4
09:00 to 12:00 – partly cloudy; 14°C to 16°C; Southwest Force 4 to 5
12:00 to 15:00 – partly to variably cloudy; 16°C to 18°C; Southwest Force 5 to 6
15:00 to 18:00 – partly to variably cloudy; 18°C to 17°C; Southwest Force 5 to 6
18:00 to 21:00 – partly to variably cloudy; 17°C to 15°C; Southwest Force 5 to 6
21:00 to 00:00 – partly to variably cloudy; 15°C to 14°C; Southwest Force 5 to 6

The feats of the Immaculate Conception is associated with various ancient traditions around the Maltese Islands. It is a public holiday in the archipelago nation. It is celebrated at the Franciscan Conventual church in Victoria, at the Immaculate Conception sanctuary in Qala and in the town of Cospicua. In Gozo, a traditional motorcycle pilgrimage accompanied by the statue of the Virgin Mary takes place. It leaves the Ta’ Pinu sanctuary in Għarb and ends at the Immaculate Conception sanctuary in Qala.

Another week of unsettled weather lies ahead for the Maltese Islands, as December continues on its course to be another wetter than average month. Several low pressure systems will traverse the central Mediterranean this week. It will be windy at all times this week. Wind speeds will vary from a strong breeze (Force 5 to 6) to a near gale (Force 7 to 8). The westerlies will dominate at all times. Temperatures will vary widely. Daytime highs will be in the region of 13°C to 18°C. Nighttime lows will vary from 9°C to 14°C. We’re expecting rain on several days this week. Latest models indicate that the wettest weather is to be expected at the start and at the end of the week. Drier spells are forecast for midweek.

ENGLISH/INGLIŻ

Another day of rain is forecast for Monday 6th December. A series of fronts associated with a low pressure system to the west of our region will traverse the central Mediterranean over the course of Monday. We expect showers that will be heavy, thundery and possibly with hail at times. Some showers may be persistent at times too. Rain is possible at any time from late evening on Sunday through to late evening on Monday, with the bulk of rain expected in the morning and afternoon of Monday. Rainfall totals may be significant in areas. It is important to keep one thing in mind at this point. All fields are waterlogged and waterways are still full up. One shower is enough to create flooding. The wind will be from the West at Force 5 to 6 throughout the day. Temperatures will be colder than in recent days, with the maximum temperature on Monday 6th likely to be around 13°C.

MALTI / MALTESE

Nistennew li t-Tnejn 6 ta’ Diċembru jkun jum ieħor ta’ xita. Firxa ta’ maltemp abbinata ma’ sistema ta’ pressjoi baxxa lejn il-punent ta’ l-inħawi se tgħaddi minn fuq iċ-ċentru tal- Mediterran matul il-jum tat-Tnejn. Qed nistennew ħalbiet tax-xita li se jkunu qawwijin, bir-ragħad u possibilment anke bis-silġ kultant. Xi wħud mill-ħalbiet tax-xita jistgħu jkunu persistenti wkoll f’xi waqtiet. Ix-xita se tkun possibli minn tard filgħaxija tal-Ħadd sa tard filgħaxija tat-Tnejn, bil-maġġoranza tax-xita taqa matul filgħodu u wara nofsinhar tat-Tnejn. L-ammonti ta’ xita jistgħu jerggħu jkunu sinifikanti f’xi nħawi. Importanti ħafna li wieħed iżomm ħaġa f’moħħu issa. L-għelieqi mifqugħa bl-ilma. Il-widien mimlija. Sempliċi ħalba xita hija biżżejjed biex tikkaġuna l-għargħar f’xi toroq. Ir-riħ se jkun Forza 5 għal 6 mill-Punent matul il-jum. It-temperaturi se jkunu aktar kesħin minn l-aħħar jiem, bl-ogħla matul il-jum tlaħħaq biss 13°C.

Wednesday 1st December will mark the start of meteorological winter. The central Mediterranean will be traversed by a number of low pressure systems. This means a continuation of unstable weather for the Maltese Islands. The wind, which has now turned from the West, will be strong to very strong on most days. It may reach gale-force at times on up to three days. It will be strong on all other days. Temperatures will vary widely. We’re expecting daytime highs to be in the range of 15°C to 20°C. Nighttime lows will vary from 10°C to 15°C. They will likely feel colder due to the strong wind. Whilst no severe rainfall events are expected, there will be a number of isolated showers along the way, some of which will be with hail. There will be periods of bright sunshine too.

If someone asked you when each of the seasons occurs, how would you respond? Your answer may depend on whether you think of seasons in a more traditional, or a more weather-related way. The astronomical seasons are the ones most of us are familiar with because their start dates are listed on our calendars. They’re called astronomical because, like our calendar, the dates of their occurrence are based on the position of Earth in relation to the sun. Astronomical winter starts on December 20th/21st/22nd. Another way to define the seasons is by grouping the twelve calendar months into four 3-month periods based on similar air temperatures. Meteorological winter starts on 1st December.