The mercury did not rise higher than between 6-7 degrees celsius today, making it the coldest day at least for 20 years, according to Malta Weather Services, a private weather station.
But the Metereological Office at Malta International Airport said the maximum temperature during the day was 10.5 degrees at Luqa, which was five degrees below the average, but not a record.
Malta Weather Services (MWS) said that today was the coldest day since is started recording temperatures at Balzan in 1987.
"The maximum temperature today was only 7.9°C at Balzan. In fact, for most of the day, the temperature hovered at around 6°C or 7°C. The previous coldest day ever was on 31st January 1999 with a maximum temperature of 8.5°C. Also, of note was the previous coldest maximum temperature for February recorded on 7th February 2006 with a maximum temperature of only 8.7°C," MWS said.
Tonight the minimum temperature is expected to be around 4°C under cloudy skies but if the clouds clear and the wind calms down then the minimum temperature tonight could be even lower, especially in valleys and low-lying areas, Malta Weather Services said. Tomorrow is also expected to be cold with a maximum temperature of around 12°C but with the wind turning to southerly on Wednesday maximum temperatures are expected to be around 16°C or 17 °C later on this week.
The Meteorological Office at Malta International Airport said when contacted, however, that although today's maximum temperature was five degrees below average, it was not a record.
It said the temperature today rose to 10.5 degrees in Luqa. The Met Office explained that the day felt colder because of wind chill.
The temperature had by 6.30 p.m.dropped to eight degrees.