From 1952 to 2020, the mean maximum air temperature increased by 1.54 °C, and the mean sea temperature increased by 1.89 °C from 1978 to 2020.

Rainfall has also decreased significantly, although the number of days with thunderstorms has increased.

This data emerges from a climate report authored by Charles Galdies, Associate Professor at the University of Malta, in collaboration with the National Statistics Office.

The State of the Climate publication presents an analysis of Malta’s climatic changes as recorded from 1952 to 2020.

The weather phenomena described comprise sunshine, cloud cover, air temperature, sea temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind and thunderstorms.

This publication follows up from an earlier one dating back to October 2011.

Data analysis points towards a climate thatis becoming increasingly warmer and drier and more prone to weather extremes.

The report shows that, from 1952 to 2020, the mean minimum air temperature increased by 1.37 °C. The mean highest maximum air temperature increased by 1.20 °C.

Total rainfall decreased by 71.27 mm. Mean rainfall recorded in 24 hours (rainfall intensity) decreased by 1.90 mm.

Mean atmospheric pressure increased by 0.34 hPa.

The total number of days with thunderstorms increased by 8.65 days.

From 1961 to 2020, the mean duration of bright sunshine per day increased by 0.08 hours, while the mean cloud cover per day decreased by 0.38 oktas.

Mean wind speed decreased by 0.82 knots. The North-west was the predominant wind direction during 57.22% of all months.

Mean relative humidity decreased by 4.72 percentage points

From 1978 to 2020, the mean sea temperature increased by 1.89 °C. The highest mean sea temperature increased by 2.20 °C.

The full report can be accessed HERE.