The strongest winds are expected to hit the Maltese Islands over the first hours of tomorrow, the MetOffice said in a statement.

It said the current situation showed a depression over central western Libya which wasexpected to move northwards reaching the north Libyan coast by tomorrow morning while deepening and would then move eastwards filling very slowly.

This would affect the Maltese Islands causing the northeast to east wind to reach gale force 8 by late this evening and gale force 8 to 9 at night and early in the morning.

The wind over the Maltese islands will start decreasing slowly tomorrow afternoon and is expected to become strong (force 6) by the evening.

Rain is expected tonight and may become thundery at times tomorrow.

Real time data and updates are available at www.maltairport.com/weather .

Earlier today, the Civil Protection Department issued the following precautionary guidelines which it said should be followed to mitigate injuries or damages in event of strong winds:

* mariners are advised to check that their seacraft are secured well to their moorings;billboards are anchored well to the floor;

* the public is advised to avoid passing from underneath trees or branches which might fall;

* likewise, drivers are advised to drive even more cautiously due to the fact that debris and torn branches could have been swept onto the road surface;

* canopies, flags, water tank tops, doors and windows should be secured well to avoid damage or injury;persons working at heights should always wear appropriate protective equipment to prevent fall, especially in such prevailing weather conditions.

The department said it was issuing the advisory to make the public more aware of the risks associated with gale force winds.

Gale force winds are also being predicted on foreign stations, including Meteoweb.eu.

It is reporting that wind speed will reach 150km/h with the waves up to eight metres high tomorrow.