The usual gloomy February weather this year gave way to warmer conditions, with the island enjoying more than 200 hours of bright sunshine last month, according to the Malta Airport Met Office.

The average maximum temperature was 16.9°C while the average minimum was 11.3°C – both above the norm of 15.5 °C and 9.3°C respectively.

There were only four days where the mean temperature dipped below average.

The highest temperature recorded was 20.4°C on February 15, while the lowest was 7.2°C on the seventh.

Malta also had a mean of 7.2 hours of bright sunshine, 1.1 hours brighter than the norm.

The brightest day was February 24 with 10.6 hours, while the dullest were the first and the 27th when there were no hours of bright sunshine. In total, last month there was 202.3 hours of sunshine.

February also recorded heavy dew on five consecutive dates. Fog was reported on two days.

Rainfall was close to the climate norm, reaching a total of 58.6 mm. The rainiest day registered was February 1 with 29.2 mm. The highest rainfall amount for February since 1947 was 187.9mm recorded in 1965.

February 27 was the only day when thunder was heard at Luqa Airport, while hail was observed on the 11th.

The mean wind speed was 8.9 knots, which is less than the average of 10.3knots.

Average sea temperature was relatively warm, standing at 15.7°C, which is one degree more than the norm of 14.7°C.

Relative humidity was 80 per cent, one more than the norm.