Below average cold spell nearing its end

People wrapped themselves up in warm clothing over the past few days as below average temperatures gripped the island.

Mario Abdilla, forecaster on duty at the Malta International Airport's Meteorological Office, told The Times yesterday that although the lowest average temperature for January was 9°C, the temperature dropped to 5°C on Sunday night. And yesterday the highest temperature did not climb higher than 10°C, that is 5°C lower than this month's normal average. Last Sunday, the highest temperature registered was 12°C.

"Even when the temperature is one or two degrees below average this is considered cold let alone when there is a difference of three degrees or more," Mr Abdilla said.

The good news for those who are feeling cold is that the temperature is expected to get closer to the average of 15°C by tomorrow. In fact, the Met Office's website, which regularly updates the weather forecast, says that the expected highest temperature tomorrow and Saturday will be 15°C but will drop by one degree on Sunday.

The highest temperature today is expected to rise to 14°C, with the lowest temperature going down to 10°C and showers are expected.

January is considered as the coldest month of the year, Mr Abdilla noted. He explained that the lowest temperature was usually reached when the air is dry and there was no wind or clouds.

As expected, when the weather gets cold, the use of heaters and electric blankets increases, in turn causing a higher demand for power. A spokesman for Enemalta Corporation explained that the winter peak depends mainly on weather conditions, or rather prolonged cold spells.

"The current cold spell started on Sunday and, in fact, the evening peak last Sunday rose to 321 mega watts," he said, adding that the peak the previous Sunday hit 298 mega watts.

However, the spokesman added, the peak over the past few days had still not reached the maximum of 395 mega watts registered on February 18, 2003. The peak registered in the winters of 2001/2002 and 2003/2004 were identical at 369 mega watts.