Air Temperature

Highest Maximum 19.7°C 29th
Lowest Maximum 12.6°C 23rd
Highest Minimum 13.3°C 6th 
Lowest Minimum 7.2°C 23rd

 

Mean Maximum 16.4°C
Mean Minimum 11.2°C
Mean 13.8°C

 

Relative Humidity

Highest Relative Humidity 95%  21st
Lowest Relative Humidity 40% 15th

 

Mean Relative Humidity 75.4%

 

Atmospheric Pressure

Highest Atmospheric Pressure 1032.2hPa 29th
Lowest Atmospheric Pressure 998.3hPa 21st

 

Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1020.1hPa

 

Wind

Highest Gust 66.0km/h 21st

 

Mean Wind Speed 11.2km/h
Mean Gust Speed 20.8km/h
Mean Wind + Gust Speed 16.0km/h
Most Frequent Wind Direction Northwest

 

Precipitation

Total Rainfall During March 2021 21.6 mm
Total Rainfall Since Last 01/09 413.3 mm

 

Highest 24 Hour Total 5.6 mm 23rd 

 

Rain Days 10
Thunderstorm Days 2
Hail Days 2

 

Rainfall Events

08/03/2021 1.3 mm Light Rain
09/03/2021 0.3 mm Light Rain
10/03/2021 0.9 mm Light Rain
16/03/2021 3.7 mm Isolated Showers; Thundery Shower with Hail
18/03/2021 3.6 mm Isolated Showers
20/03/2021 0.5 mm Light Rain (with heavy sand deposits)
21/03/2021 4.6 mm Showers
22/03/2021 0.8 mm Light Rain
23/03/2021 5.6 mm Showers; Thundery Shower with Hail
30/03/2021 0.3 mm Dew

 

March 2021 Compared to the Climate Means

  Climate Mean March 2021 Anomaly
Mean Maximum Temperature 17.0°C 16.4°C -0.6°C
Mean Minimum Temperature 10.9°C 11.2°C +0.3°C
Mean Temperature 14.0°C 13.8°C -0.2°C
Mean Relative Humidity 79% 75.4% -3.6%
Mean Atmospheric Pressure 1016.1hPa 1020.1hPa +4.0hPa
Mean Wind Speed 18.9 km/h 16.0 km/h -2.9 km/h
Most Frequent Wind Direction Northwest Northwest 0°
Total Rainfall 39.8 mm 21.6 mm -18.2 mm
Total Rainfall Since Last 01/09 512.8 mm 413.3 mm -99.5 mm
Total Rain Days 7 days 10 days +3 days
Total Thunderstorm Days 2 days 2 days 0 day
Total Hail Days 1 day 2 days +1 day

 

Cooler but Drier in March 2021 

March 2021 was the first month in a while to register an overall temperature which was cooler than average. Overall, temperatures were 0.2°C. Whilst maximum temperatures were much cooler than the norm, nighttime lows were marginally warmer. This was due to anticyclones over Europe directing colder air from the north towards the central Mediterranean. The start of astronomical spring was marked by a week-long cold spell that brought temperatures as low as 7.2°C to our shores. The warmest day last month was the 29th, when a daytime high of 19.7°C was registered. This was unseasonably cool, as March is typically synonymous with the return of 20°C + temperatures locally.

With rainfall amounting to a total of 21.6 mm over the course  of last month, March 2021 was drier than average. Rainfall was just over a half of the climate norm. The rain was spread over 10 days. Although this value incorporates one occurrence of a heavy dewfall, it still is more than the value expected for March. Thunder was heard on two days. Hail was recorded on two days as well.

A number of windy days dotted the month of March. In fact, 10 days last month featured a wind speed of at least Force 6. The highest wind gust last month was measured at 66.0 km/h (Force 6) from the East Southeast. This was early on the 21st, as a vigorous low pressure system emerged from north Africa and traversed the central Mediterranean. Accompanying this strong wind were dense fog patches and light rain which deposited copious amounts of desert sand.

Several episodes of sea fog were experienced last month. Sea fog forms when a warm and moist air mass from the south is advected over a cooler area of sea. The air mass cools and its temperature falls to the dew point (the temperature at which an air mass becomes saturated and the water vapour in it condenses). As the air slides over the cooler area of sea it becomes increasingly saturated, enhancing the formation of condensation. Normally, sea fog dissipates as it moves inland. However, given that the air on land is very similar to that of the sea at this time of year, the fog persists inland too.

 

 

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

Għarb – 21.6 mm (413.3 mm)

Victoria – 31.5 mm (431.0 mm)

Xewkija – 23.8 mm (347.8 mm)

Nadur – 27.8 mm (486.6 mm)

Mellieħa – 20.2 mm (284.0 mm)

Buġibba – 32.0 mm (343.6 mm)

Mġarr – 17.6 mm (306.7 mm)

Għargħur – 22.8 mm (413.1 mm)

Attard – 36.9 mm (500.2 mm)

Rabat – 27.4 mm (331.0 mm)

Msida – 32.8 mm (449.7 mm)

Valletta – 12.9 mm (266.5 mm)

Luqa – 29.3 mm (443.8 mm)

Żabbar – 37.8 mm (478.0 mm)

Birżebbuġa – 23.4 mm (325.8 mm)