Climate and weather

Malta has a Mediterranean climate: long, hot and dry summers, short mild winters, and almost all rain between October and March. The figures on this page are thirty-year historical averages (1991–2020). They describe what is typical, not what the weather is today; current conditions and forecasts come from the Malta Met Office at Malta International Airport.

Summer (June–September)

Daily highs average 28–32 °C with high humidity and little or no rain; nights stay above 20 °C. The sea is warmest in August and September. The sirocco (xlokk), a hot south-easterly, can push temperatures higher.

Autumn (October–November)

Still warm, with sea temperatures suitable for swimming into November, but the first heavy rains and thunderstorms arrive, sometimes causing flash flooding in low-lying roads.

Winter (December–February)

Mild, with daily highs around 15–17 °C and lows around 10 °C; the wettest months. Frost and snow are essentially unknown, but north-westerly (majjistral) and north-easterly (grigal) winds make it feel colder, and houses are built for summer rather than winter, so indoor heating matters.

Spring (March–May)

Rain tails off, temperatures climb and the countryside is green and in flower, with occasional dust-laden winds from the south.

Wind, humidity and sea

The islands are windy year-round; humidity is high because of the sea. Sea-surface temperature typically ranges from the mid-teens in winter to the high twenties in late summer.

Extreme weather and trends

Heatwaves above 40 °C, autumn storms with hail and flooding, and occasional severe winds are the main hazards. Observed trends show warming summers and more intense rainfall events, consistent with Mediterranean climate projections.