July nights warmer than usual

July nights, at an average of 22.5°C, were much warmer than the 30-year mean, by 1.1°C, the Malta International Airport Meteorological Office said.

Only in 10 other years in the Met. Office's 84-year history were July nights warmer than last month, three of them in the past 20 years.

However, daytime temperatures, at an average of 31.5°C, were only slightly warmer than the average. The warmest day last month was on the third when the thermometer climbed to 34.1°C.

Since the Meteorological Office started keeping records in 1922, the highest July temperature ever reached was 42.7°C on July 9, 1988.

The average sea surface temperature last month was 26.3°C - almost two degrees higher than normal. Since 1978 only July 2003 was warmer.

The Meteorological Office again urged the public to take heed of its UV Index forecasts, as these are reaching the very dangerous levels of 10, and to seek shade and apply adequate sunscreen protection especially between the critical times of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

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