Low humidity cooled off July heat

If you were wondering why fewer people whinged about the sweltering heat last month it is because July was characterised by lower humidity that made the high temperatures more bearable. The mean relative humidity was 12 per cent lower than the 30-year...

If you were wondering why fewer people whinged about the sweltering heat last month it is because July was characterised by lower humidity that made the high temperatures more bearable.

The mean relative humidity was 12 per cent lower than the 30-year mean climate average of 69 per cent, the Meteorological Office said.

The highest temperature was registered on July 25 when the mercury hit 41.6°C, just 1.1°C short of the hottest July day registered in 1988 and one degree less than the 42.6°C recorded in 1998.

The soaring temperatures were a result of warm air coming from Algeria and Tunisia towards the western and central Mediterranean region from July 21 onwards, according to the Meteorological Office. The build-up of a high pressure system over the central Mediterranean during that period also played an important factor in the extreme weather.

The lowest temperature last month was 18.5°C, recorded on July 21 and 22, shortly before the scorching heat hit the island.

The Met. Office urged the public to take heed of its UV index forecasts, to seek shade between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. and to apply adequate sunscreen protection.

www.maltairport.com/weather

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