Drier, warmer December

December was slightly drier and warmer than average but the temperature dropped towards the end of the month, according to the latest weather statistics.

Last month’s average air temperature of 14.1 degrees Celsius exceeded the climate norm by 0.3 degrees. The average temperature between December 1 and 17 was well above the norm of 13.8 degrees Celsius, the Malta Airport MetOffice said.

The highest temperature was 20.1 degrees Celsius on December 1. The highest ever recorded December temperature since 1947 was on December 5, 1963 when it reached 24.3 degrees. The lowest temperature last month was 6.6 degrees Celsius on December 20. The coolest night since 1947 was on December 22, 1967 with a low of 3.6 degrees.

There was less rainfall, 72.8 millimetres, than the average of 112.2 millimetres. The sun shone for an average of five hours and 54 minutes every day – 54 minutes more than the December norm.