Cold weather expected to last another week

The cold snap is expected to extend into the next few days, according to both the Meteorological Office at the Malta International Airport and the Balzan-based Malta Weather Services.

"This cold weather is expected to last well into next week with temperatures returning to normal on February 5," Mark Vella Gera, Malta Weather Services' managing director, said.

He said polar air reached the Maltese Islands on Tuesday evening and was expected to continue over the coming days, with a brief respite tomorrow.

The wind was expected to die down today but would pick up again tomorrow and was expected to reach gale force in the afternoon and evening.

Showers, possibly thunder and hail, were also expected in the coming days, especially between tomorrow and Sunday.

Contacted by The Times, John Mallia, forecaster on duty at the Met. Office, said the temperature today is expected to climb a notch to 11°C and showers are likely throughout the weekend, during which temperatures are forecast to remain below average.

He said the highest temperature yesterday only hit 9.9°C. Although significantly lower than the average of 15°C for this time of the year, it was not out of the ordinary, he added.

He said low temperatures were registered during the night as well as during showers yesterday afternoon. At about 4 p.m. yesterday it was 4.5°C in Dingli.

The hail yesterday also included some so-called soft hail. Soft hail - which looks like small flakes - is a remnant of hail that has not completely melted.

Certain weather conditions might lead to the feeling that it is colder than the temperatures registered, Mr Mallia said. The wind chill factor, for example, is felt when it is windy and there is low humidity.

Mr Vella Gera said that at about 7.20 a.m. yesterday the strong wind made the temperature feel like minus 5.3°C.

On the other hand, the wind also helps the temperature not to go too low. Mr Mallia explained that the sea surrounding Malta was currently at a temperature of about 16°C and the wind brings warmer air onto land from the sea.