Malta swelters as mercury nears 40

Malta again sweltered in blistering temperatures yesterday, with the highest temperature soaring to 39.2°C - over nine degrees above average for this time of year.

The good news is that there should be some kind of reprieve from the heat today with the Meteorological Office forecasting a temperature of some 37°C.

The heat has been caused by a wave of warm air fanned by south westerly winds which are expected to change direction today, bringing somewhat cooler air.

The temperatures have turned the sea into a tropical aquarium with sea temperatures yesterday rising to 27°C, over two degrees above the norm for this time of the year.

And any hope of sleep in comfortable temperatures has evaporated, with yesterday's minimum temperature reading 24°C.

The UV Index was again measured at 11+, a dangerous factor which easily burns the skin.

Forecasters said the Mediterranean was experiencing the hottest weather for more than 200 years, with bathers enjoying sea temperatures similar to those in the Caribbean.

Records that have stood for centuries have been falling across southern Europe as temperatures have risen to above 40°C.

Rome has experienced its hottest June since records began in 1782.

In Greece, the government has activated emergency plans to open airconditioned public buildings to city dwellers.

Switzerland, normally associated with mountains and snow, also recorded its hottest June in 250 years.

French government officials have been so concerned by the heatwave they have issued instructions to residents to stay indoors.

Infrastructure has also been affected with Seville and Madrid experiencing several power cuts last week due to excessive demand from airconditioning units, circumstances not unknown in Malta.

The climate extremes research section at the Met. Office in the UK recently projected that summer temperatures in the Mediterranean will increase by a few degrees over the next 80 years.