Firstmalta.com, an independent weather prediction project, is forecasting powerful Scirocco winds to reach the Maltese islands during the coming weekend. The Scirocco wind is a Mediterranean wind that originates over the Sahara desert and it is known to bring lots of dust and sand.

The South East, at times East South East wind will reach a Force 6 / Force 7 intensity and will bring a hot and subsequently humid air system over the Maltese islands, the website forecasts. 

The Scirocco winds arise from a warm, dry, tropical airmass that is pulled northward by low-pressure cells moving eastward across the Mediterranean Sea, with the wind originating over the Sahara deserts.

The website www.firstmalta.com is also predicting  rain to start on Friday night and continue intermittently until Sunday morning, some lightning may accompany the rain.

The intense winds will also mean that sea wave height will reach around 5 meters in height between Saturday evening and during Sunday morning, the site said.