Sizzling days are hitting Malta as temperatures have hit 38 degrees Celsius today and will rise gradually to 41 degrees on Monday, according to the forecast by the Malta Meteorological Office.

It will be 39 degrees tomorrow, 40 on Sunday and 41 on Monday, but the feel like temperature jumps from 39 degrees today to 41 on Saturday and will remain so till Monday.

There will be some respite - if you can call it that - on Wednesday when the temperature will "drop" to 36 degrees, with a feel like of 38, and 33 degrees on Thursday.

People are urged to avoid exposure to the sun unless necessary, drink lots of water and wear light clothes.