Hottest August for 85 years

August daytime temperatures, showed a mean of 31.9°C, 1.2°C higher than the monthly average of the past 85 years.

Coupled with this was the highest relative humidity, which on August 29, reached 100 per cent.

That month's average mean of 68 per cent is slightly lower than the August mean since 1951, which then hit 71 per cent.

The average maximum temperature measured last month was very close to that reached in July this year. The hottest day last month was the 23rd, when the thermometer reached 37.4°C.

This combination of humidity and temperature led to a high heat stress index in the range of 39 to 42.

The coolest night last month was that of the 8th when a value of 20.2°C was registered. However the mean temperature of the past summer months (that is June, July and August) was slightly cooler than that of the past 10 years.

It is interesting to note that the lowest night time August temperature ever recorded was that of August 27, 1972, when a cool 15.9°C was registered.

The average sea surface temperature last month was 26.3°C, 0.4°C warmer than the norm. (www.maltairport.com/weather)