September drier, warmer than average

Last month’s average air temperature of 25.2°C exceeded the climate norm by 1.1°C, figures released by Malta International Airport show.

The highest temperature, 34.8°C, was registered on September 3 and 4, 6.8°C higher than the 30-year climate norm.

This was followed by a drop in air temperature during the latter part of the month. Between September 20 and 30, the maximum temperature registered a downward trend to go below the climate norm of 28°C.

The lowest temperature last September was 17.9°C, recorded on September 20. The highest temperature recorded since 1947 was on September 26, 1990, when it reached 37.4°C. The coolest September night was on September 22, 1969, with a low of 13.2°C.

The average sea surface temperature was 26.4°C.

The mean relative humidity last month was 71 per cent, which is lower than the 30-year mean climate average of 77 per cent.

Just 7.4mm of rainfall was recorded at MIA, which is less than the climate norm of 40.4mm for September.

Contrary to the norm, there was just one day of thunderstorms, while fog on September 3 reduced the visibility to 100 metres.