Air temperatures dropped from September’s 25.6°C average to a mean of 22.3°C in October, albeit rising to a high of 29.3°C on the first day of the month and falling to a low of 15.9°C on 8 October. Temperatures stayed generally warmer than the climate norm: the mean maximum and minimum exceeding the monthly average by 0.5°C and 1°C, respectively.

Nevertheless, the number of story days more than doubled as compared to expectations. Usually, October sees five thundery days, while this year, the islands came under 11 days of thunderstorms. The climate norm of 20 mm of rain grew disproportionately to 94 mm this year. A wetter-than-expected October was capped off with 24.6 mm on 29 October—the wettest day of the month.

While the islands welcomed lower temperatures and wetter weather, sunny skies remained a regular fixture on the weather forecast, with October’s daily sunlight hours averaging at 6.8 hours. A total of 212.1 sunshine hours were measured throughout the month, with a light cloud cover measuring a daily average of 3.2 oktas—unit used to express the extent of cloud cover—being reported.

The post Warmer October brings unexpected amount of rain to Malta’s shores first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

The maximum temperature for August was registered at 36°C on the 13th of the month, while the lowest was 21.8°C recorded on 6 August. The brightest days of the month were 18 and 19 August, when the sun shone for a total of 13.2 hours. 

August’s lack of rainfall was one of the main contributors to this increase in average temperature, the Malta International Airport (MLA) says in the press release. Only traces amounts of precipitation and 1.2 hours of sunshine were recorded on 29 August, making it the dullest day of the month. The mean wind speed in August 2019 only reached 6 knots, which is half a knot calmer than the norm. 

Cloud cover averaged at 0.9 oktas — unit used to express the extent of cloud cover —  for August 2019 but was expected to be 1.2 oktas. This contributed to a 19.3-hour increase in sunshine hours from August 2018, when only 312.1 hours of sunshine were recorded. Furthermore, 331.4 total hours of sunshine were recorded in August 2019, still short of the monthly average of 335.3 hours, notes the press release.

The post August temperatures rise further in Malta first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

The maximum temperature measured in July peaked at 39.6°C on 9 July in the midst of a heatwave reaching the Maltese Islands. The lowest temperature of 21°C was measured on both 5 and 20 July, however, the sea temperature was one centigrade warmer than the climate norm, reaching 26.4°C.

Sunshine hours of 368.3 surpassed the climate norm by 4.2 hours in July, due to the mean total cloud cover falling below the average to 0.8 oktas — a unit used in expressing the extent of cloud cover, equal to one-eighth of the sky. While July registered a mean of 11.9 hours of sunshine daily, the brightest day was July 4th when a total of 13.1 hours of sunshine were recorded.

Despite the spike in temperatures, July was not as dry as expected, with 0.8mm of precipitation being recorded throughout the month by the Met Office. July was also slightly windier than expected, exceeding the climate norm of 6.8 knots (12.5 kph) by 0.6 knots (1.1 kph).

The post June’s record heat carries on to July first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

April’s mean air temperature stood at 15.9°C, somewhat colder than the norm; 16.1°C, according to MIA’s figures. April’s maximum temperature dropped by 0.7°C as compared to the month’s mean maximum temperature of 19.8°C. Meanwhile, the mean minimum remained almost unchanged, warming by 0.2°C compared to the norm of 12.4°C.

MIA statistics suggest that April’s rain was less than usual, with only 15.4mm of precipitation. Some 39% of this was recorded in the first five days.

The islands saw a total of 240.7 sunny hours in April, some 8 hours less than the monthly average. The brightest day of the month was 28 April with 12.5 hours of sunshine.

Saharan dust covered Maltese skies blocking the sun for the most of the month. This often led to “blood showers”, according to the MIA press release.

The islands also received heavier winds than usual with mean speeds of 10.3 knots (approximately 19 km/h) throughout April; 0.8 knots (1.4 km/h) stronger than the usual.

The post April in Malta sees less sun and cooler temperatures first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

Expecting the storm to clear up, as of 26 February, Tuesday the service provider plans to deliver scheduled routes in a duly manner, as well as to add further voyages as follows:

• VF800 departing from Malta at05.00 (am) and arriving at Pozzallo at 06.45 (am) (scheduled) – On arrival, Pozzallo Port coach transfers will be organised to Catania Port (extra)
• 06.45 am coach transfers will be organised from Catania Port to Pozzallo Port (extra) – VF131 departing from Pozzallo at 09.15 (am) arriving at Malta at 11.00 (am) (extra)
• VF130 departing from Malta 17.00 arriving at Pozzallo at 18.45 (extra) – On arrival, Pozzallo Port coach transfers will be organised to Catania Port (extra)
• 19.00 coach transfers will be organised from Catania Port to Pozzallo Port (extra) – VF801 departing from Pozzallo at 21.30 arriving at Malta at 23.15 (scheduled)

Virtu Holdings is a conglomerate of ship owning companies which, primarily focuses on owning, managing and operating high-speed passenger and car ferries. Virtu Ferries connects Malta to Sicily with regular ferry services.

The post Virtu Ferry cancels Feb 24-25 routes first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.