Strong winds and rough seas are expected to hit Malta on Wednesday and Thursday.

Weather sites are predicting “near gale force” winds and waves of 4.5 metres, coming from the east north east, starting early on Wednesday morning and ending at noon on Thursday.

Areas such as St Paul’s Bay, St Julian’s and Sliema, and other coastal areas on the east coast of Malta, are expected to be hard-hit.

Any boats in Mellieha Bay, St Paul's Bay, Xemxija Bay, Sliema, Grand Harbour, Xgħajra, Marsascala Bay, and Ramla Bay and Marsalforn Bay in Gozo need to be taken on land as soon as possible due to Force 7 winds from an ENE direction from 4am tomorrow Wednesday till 7am Thursday. 

Virtu Ferries has cancelled its Wednesday services to and from Sicily because of the weather conditions.

The temperature will fall five degrees from 30 Celsius on Tuesday to 25 on Wednesday, according to the Met Office.

Rain is expected on Tuesday.