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MALTESE ISLANDS WEATHER

by Caroline Sciberras
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The islands of Malta, Gozo, Comino and the other uninhabited islets boast 3000 days  of sunshine for the delight of tourists and locals. Just like other places with a Mediterranean climate, Malta has 2 seasons: a cooler wet one but warm enough to feel like spring and a hot dry one where all you would want is to have a dip in the sea

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Maltese Islands Weather: The Temperature Of Malta In All Seasons

The Maltese islands are in the very centre of the Mediterranean Sea and as such also have a Mediterranean climate with over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year making Malta one of the warmest countries in Europe. The amount of sunshine in Malta is excellent in summer when clear skies prevail; in winter there are several sunny periods, which however alternate with periods of bad weather, with rain, wind and thunderstorms. Since, the percentage of sunny days is very high, tourists choose Malta all year round making it a gem easily reached from any destination around Europe.

Summers in Malta are very hot and dry while in Winter the weather is mild but very humid. Precipitation in Malta is not abundant: it slightly exceeds 500 mm (20 in) a year. The rains follow the typical trend of the Mediterranean climate, and are concentrated in the period October-March, while they are scarce in the other months and practically absent in summer. Moreover, the presence of the sea, influences this climate, and determines modest daily and annual temperature excursions (lower than at 20°C): in fact the sea retains the summer heat and releases it during the winter.

Average annual temperatures are around 23°C during the day and 16°C at night (one of the highest in Europe). There are some winters in which you barely ever use a jacket. Only downfall is the lack of insulation and high humidity in Maltese houses. Sometimes it just feels better staying outside then inside your home in Winter despite switching on the heater all day long.

Even if those who live in Malta can practically go swimming for more than six months in a row, the sea might not be as warm as you’d like and even getting a tan may be difficult for darker complexions. In my case, sometimes I got even sunburnt on December and January and so I have to apply sunscreen all year long. So in the guide I will give you tips of what to pack, of how to spend your days on every month of the year.

Maltese Islands Weather Today

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Malta’s Weather In Summer

Summer in Malta – June, July and August – is hot, dry and sunny.  The average temperatures is around 29°C in June and slightly higher at around 33° in July and August. During the days especially in the months of July and August it is very hot and when there is no wind, whatever you wear it feels very stuffy, mainly due to humidity. Fortunately, especially if you live by the sea the climate is often tempered by small sea breezes.
 

In this period, the sun is extremely high in UV and whatever your skin colour you should protect his skin using an adequate even in the shade. Also avoid any exposure between midday and 3pm.  Though I’ve seen many seaside resorts in the Mediterranean not providing rooms with ACs, Malta’s summer is somehow fiercer and suggest you to book any accommodation with air conditioning.

Malta’s Temperatures in June

June is the month when summer finally arrives in Malta. This is the time of year when we recommend visiting the island: you start going to the beach, it’s not too hot and there is no high season crowd. Moreover, if you want to dedicate some time to sightseeing then it’s the right time to move on the island without feeling too stuffy. And don’t worry, cause chance of raining is very low.
 
  MALTA GOZO
Max temp 29°C / 83°F 29°C / 83°F
Min temp 20°C / 67°F 19°C / 66°F
Sun hours 333 hours 337 hours
Rainfall 6mm / 0.2″ 4mm / 0.2″
Rainy days 1 day 1 day

Malta’s Temperatures in July and August

July and August are the hottest months of the year and are perfect for the classic summer holidays dedicated to beaches , sun and tanning. The probability of rain is zero, except in rare cases, and the maximum temperatures are around 33°.
 
The nights are also warm with temperatures ranging from 20 to 25°C and for those who love nightlife, Malta provides various entertainment areas for all ages.
 
  JULY AUGUST
  MALTA GOZO MALTA GOZO
Max temp 32°C / 89°F 31°C / 88°F 32°C / 89°F 32°C / 89°F
Min temp 22°C / 71°F 22°C / 71°F 23°C / 73°F 23°C / 73°F
Sun hours 372 hours 370 hours 351 hours 352 hours
Rainfall 0.5mm / 0″ 0.2mm / 0″ 19mm / 0.7″ 13mm / 0.5″
Rainy days 0 days 0 days 1 day 1 day
 
What to pack: purely summer clothes in cotton or linen packing shorts and T-Shirts with sleeves to wear on the beach and protect you from the sun. In addition, accessories such as sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses will come in very handy.

 

Malta’s Temperatures in September

In September, temperatures begin to drop slowly, but people continue to go to the beach until school starts after the third week of the month. Like June, this month is a great month to come on holiday to Malta: fewer people and the weather will allow you to go on excursions. However, the chance of rain and violent storms is higher in September though in Malta the sky always clears up very quickly.
 
 
Islands MALTA GOZO
Max temp 29°C / 83°F 29°C / 83°F
Min temp 21°C / 69°F 21°C / 69°F
Sun hours 269 hours 261 hours
Rainfall 63mm / 2.5″ 60mm / 2.4″
Rainy days 4 days 4 day
 
 

Malta’s Weather in Autumn

Autumn in Malta starts around October and November. It’s still possible to go to the beach and enjoy swimming during this period since the sea is still very warm and in most years the majority of the days are sunny.  The climate in these months  alternate between sunny periods and periods of bad weather, with rain and wind. However, many locals enjoy the sea even till December.

 

I would like to highlight to find an accomodation where there’s AC to keep you warm as the humidity is felt a lot even inside the house as the buildings are often not well insulated.

 

Malta’s Temperatures in October

 
In October, the weather begins to change, although the first half of the month remains pleasant. The temperatures are still quite good and it is possible to take one of the last swims. The second half of the month is quite unpredictable, usually more frequent rains begin and temperatures drop further.
 
Islands MALTA GOZO
Max temp 25°C / 77°F 25°C / 77°F
Min temp 19°C / 65°F 18°C / 64°F
Sun hours 220 hours 220 hours
Rainfall 85mm / 3.3″ 84mm / 3.3″
Rainy days 7 days 6 days
What to pack: summer clothes, but we advise you to bring a jacket or sweatshirt and trousers to use in the evening when temperatures drop or in case of rainy days.
 

Malta Temperatures in November and December

During the months of November and December the temperatures are still quite good if we consider the rest of Europe, but the sun is starting to set aside a bit and rainfall is higher than in the rest of the year.
 
  NOVEMBER DECEMBER
  MALTA GOZO MALTA GOZO
Max temp 21°C / 70°F 21°C / 69°F 17°C / 63°F 17°C / 63°F
Min temp 15°C / 59°F 15°C / 58°F 12°C / 53°F 12°C / 53°F
Sun hours 192 hours 195 hours 160 hours 159 hours
Rainfall 92mm / 3.6″ 92mm / 3.6″ 98mm / 3.9″ 111mm / 4.4″
Rainy days 9 days 9 days 10 days 10 days
 What to pack: Long sleeves T-Shirts, light cardigans, a heavy sweater, trousers, jackets and raincoats. I would also get a shorts just in case!  The key is to wear layers of clothes that you can remove when it  starts feeling hot and stuffy. Locals during Winter still keep their summer clothes handy as there are Autumns & Winters where you can stay without heavy sweaters and jackets.

 

Malta’s Weather In Winter

The months of December, January and February mark the Winter season and the weather here will alternate between warm sunny periods and colder periods with rain and wind. The average temperatures range from 12 to 18°C during the day and from 6 to 12°C at night.
In Malta, the humidity is felt a lot even inside the house as the buildings are often not well insulated.
 

Malta Temperatures in January and February

The months of January and February are the coldest of the year (average temperatures are between 12 and 18°C during the day and between 6 and 12°C at night) and you will feel it especially at night when temperatures drop. In Malta, the lowest temperature I ever remember was around 4°C but it’s more difficult to bear cause of very high humidity and the wind. The inside of the houses is not well insulated and it is often colder inside than outside!
 
  JANUARY FEBRUARY
  MALTA GOZO MALTA GOZO
Max temp 16°C / 60°F 16°C / 60°F 16°C / 60°F 16°C / 60°F
Min temp 10°C / 50°F 10°C / 50°F 10°C / 49°F 10°C / 49°F
Sun hours 167 hours 168 hours 181 hours 177 hours
Rainfall 82mm / 3.2″ 98mm / 3.9″ 72mm / 2.8″ 61mm / 2.4″
Rainy days 10 days 10 days 7 days 7 days
What to pack: Coat, warm sweaters, windbreaker, scarf and other winter clothes. I always carry ear muffs especially when walking around the shore because of the cold breeze that hurts my ears. Additionally, I always recommend getting a couple of long sleeve T-Shirts and shorts.
 
Contrary to what one might imagine, the climate of Malta in winter does not see bathing suits and flip flops. Visiting the island at this time is not recommended for the classic tourists who loves beaches. However, since the price of accommodation and flights is lower than in the rest of the year I would still consider Malta as an option if you want to have a break from bad weather. In Malta, the sun always shines.

 

Malta’s Weather In Spring

Temperatures of March, April and May

Spring in Malta is between March and May. Temperatures begin to rise again in March and the hours of sunshine are longer.  The rains are less frequent and in April they are almost non-existent.
The average temperatures in this period of Malta vary from 17°C in March, 20°C in April and 24°C in May. This period is ideal for hiking and visiting the island without feeling too hot.
 
There are always some people who like to take a bath, but the water is still cold and it’s windy. In this period the accommodation prices are much cheaper than in the high season.
In my opinion, the month of May is excellent for visiting Malta: the temperatures are pleasant, ideal for excursions and the island is very green. It’s also a great time if you want to get a tan before summer kicks in. However, it probably won’t be time to go to swim yet.
 
  MARCH APRIL MAY
  MALTA GOZO MALTA GOZO MALTA GOZO
Max temp 17°C / 63°F 17°C / 63°F 20°C / 68°F 20°C / 68°F 24°C / 75°F 23°C / 75°F
Min temp 11°C / 52°F 10°C / 50°F 12°C / 54°F 10°C / 49°F 16°C / 60°F 16°C / 60°F
Sun hours 225 hours 223 hours 252 hours 251 hours 308 hours 310 hours
Rainfall 43mm / 1.7″ 41mm / 1.6″ 21mm / 0.8″ 23mm / 0.9″ 10mm / 0.4″ 16mm / 0.6″
Rainy days 6 days 5 days 4 days 4 days 2 days 1 day
What to pack: A light jacket, a cardigan, jeans, lighter clothes such as T-Shirt and shorts, windbreaker, a cap, sunglasses, sunblock for sensitive skins;
 
During this time of year there are many tourists and locals who run in bathing suits and flip flops but I still suggest to get sneakers and warmer clothes. Spring in Malta is as hot as the summer of most European countries and so the chance is that you’ll love Malta’s spring time!  It’s the greener and nicest period of the year. Only downfall is that the sea might be still a little cold.

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