Last month's temperature almost a degree warmer than normal

Last month's average air temperature of 26.7 °C exceeded the climate norm by 0.8°C, the MIA Met Office said this afternoon.

The highest temperature was registered on July 18th when it peaked at 37.7°C - almost 6°C more than 30-year climate norm.  However it was still 5.0°C less than the highest July temperature, which was in 1988.

Between the 25th and 31st the average temperature fell to around 1°C less than the climate norm. However the lowest temperature was 19.0°C a on July 4th. The coolest July night was on July 2nd 1923 with a low of 13.9°C.

The average sea surface temperature was 25.8°C - 1.7°C higher than the average value for July since 1978.

The mean relative humidity last month was 62% which was lower than the 30-year mean climate average of 69%. Just 0.2 mm of rainfall was recorded at Malta International Airport, which was less than the climate norm for July.

Last month we had an average of 11 hours and 36 minutes of sunshine a day.

The wind speed in July, averaging 6.7 knots was slightly less than expected during a typical July. For 84% of the time it was in the light speed bracket (1-10 knots). The NorthWest by West was the most frequent direction.

On July 20th a maximum wind gust of 33 knots was recorded from the NorthWest by West. This was around 1 knot less than the average since 1947. The strongest   wind gust measured at Malta International Airport during the month of July since 1947 was 47 knots, recorded on July 2nd 1954.

The Met Office urged the public to heed its UV Index forecasts as these may reach high and dangerous levels. More information is available on www.maltairport.com/weather.