Climate Overview
Malta enjoys a Mediterranean climate characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters . Sunshine is abundant, with roughly 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, placing it among the sunniest countries in Europe. In winter months, Malta can have over 160 hours of sunshine in December alone, compared to around 37 hours in London .
Annual average temperatures hover around 19.2 °C (66.6 °F) . Malta receives nearly 600 mm (23.5 inches) of annual rainfall . There are approximately 90 rainy days per year, ranging from 0.5 days in July to around 15 days in December . Relative humidity remains high: average about 76%, dipping to 69% in July and peaking around 79% in December .
Historic Weather Events
Medicane Qendresa (2014)
In November 2014, Cyclone Qendresa—a Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone—struck Malta with extraordinary force. At St. Paul’s Bay, sustained winds reached 110.9 km/h, with gusts up to 153.7 km/h—the strongest inland gusts from a Medicane ever recorded in the region. Central pressure dropped to 978.6 hPa in the eye . The storm caused massive disruption: airport shutdowns, flooded streets, power outages, uprooted trees, and widespread damage across the island .
Cyclone Apollo (2021)
Also known as Medicane Nearchus, Cyclone Apollo in late October 2021 brought heavy rain and winds to Malta. It claimed 7 lives across affected countries and caused an estimated over $245 million in damages, with Malta among the impacted areas .
Storm Helios (2023)
Named by the Malta Meteorological Office in February 2023, Storm Helios caused one of the wettest February days on record in Malta. On 10 February, Luqa recorded 140.4 mm of rain—the highest February daily total since 1938 . The storm triggered flooding, property damage, collapsed ceilings at Malta International Airport, structural damage (e.g. to historical towers), collapsed walls, capsized boats, and at least one injury .
2022 Heatwave
In summer 2022, Malta experienced unprecedented heat: June became the hottest June in 100 years, and July recorded higher-than-average temperatures .
2023 Heatwave
In summer 2023, a Maltese heatwave surged temperatures to 42.7 °C, tying the highest July temperature recorded in nearly 40 years .
Monthly weather Averages: Temperature & Rainfall
The following table synthesizes average monthly rainfall and average temperature context where available:
| Month | Avg Rainfall | Dry/Wet Days Approx.
| Notes on Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | ~56 mm | Rain ~7.8 days | Mild winter (~15–17 °C) |
| February | ~44 mm | ~6.5 rainy days | Mild, wet winter |
| March | ~32 mm | ~5 wet days | Spring begins (~20 °C) |
| April | ~20 mm | ~3.7 wet days | Comfortable spring (~20–25 °C) |
| May | ~11.5 mm | ~2 rainy days | Warmer; sea beginning to warm |
| June | ~4.6 mm | <1 wet day (~0.7 d) | Hot (~mid-20 °C to 30 °C) |
| July | ~2.2 mm | ~0.4 wet days | Very hot; driest month |
| August | ~6.3 mm | ~1 wet day | Very hot continues |
| September | ~36.2 mm | ~4.2 rainy days | Warm; start of autumn |
| October | ~53.1 mm | ~7.1 rainy days | Cooler; autumn rain increases |
| November | ~64.1 mm | ~8.4 rainy days | Rainy; mild (~17–20 °C) |
| December | ~63.9 mm | ~8.9 rainy days | Mild and wet; ~90 mm in some reports |
Notes:
Rainfall figures are from Malta-wide averages (e.g., Valletta area) .
Temperature guides are qualitative, derived from season descriptions .
Seasonal Patterns
Summer (June–August) is extremely dry and hot. Rainfall drops to just a few millimeters, and rainy days are rare. July is the driest, with less than 0.5 days of rain on average .
Winter (December–February) brings the bulk of annual rainfall—collectively over 150 mm—and more frequent rain (7–9 days/month) .
Spring and autumn (March–May, September–November) transition smoothly between dry and wet, with comfortable temperatures and increasing or tapering rainfall respectively.
Water Scarcity Challenges
Malta’s dry summers coupled with ground that often fails to absorb rainfall, combined with high water demand, contribute to water stress. The island relies significantly on desalination and underground reservoirs in limestone aquifers .
Sunshine & Hygge
With up to 12+ hours of daylight in summer and 5–6 hours even in winter, Malta enjoys vibrant, sunny days year-round—particularly attractive for tourism and outdoor living .
Extremes & Anomalies
Heat records in 2022 and 2023 highlighted rising extremes, with nearly 43 °C heatwaves becoming more notable .
Medicanes, though rare, can deliver tropical-like storms with devastating effects—as seen in Qendresa and Apollo .
Storm Helios emphasized vulnerability to intense storms even in winter, with dangerous flooding and infrastructure damage from a record February rainfall .
