January was cooler than the average for the month and the cold snap is expected to continue as February rolls in, with lows of 5 to 6 degrees Celcius forecast for the start of next week.

As the freezing weather in Europe takes dozens of lives, the highest temperature registered last month was 16.9 degrees on January 2 and the lowest was 4.7 degrees on January 27.

At 11.6, the average dipped below that of 12.4 degrees Celsius recorded for January. It was also windy last month, with two consecutive days of gale force winds hitting 48 knots and a daily average speed of 23.5 knots, according to Malta Airport MetOffice. Several strong and gale wind warnings were issued.

On the other hand, it was less rainy than usual: a total of 67 millimetres of rain fell last month – lower than the average of 89.

Meanwhile, forecast temperature highs of around 14 degrees and lows of nine degrees over the next three days will give way to highs of 11 degrees and as low as five degrees on Sunday and Monday.

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