The weather last month was characterized by the temperature spike last Saturday and also by low humidity, according to a report issued today by the Met Office at Malta International Airport.

The maximum air temperature over Malta reached 41.6°C.

The highest July temperature ever recorded in Malta was 42.7°C in 1988 followed by 42.6°C in 1998.

The mean temperature was 27.0°C which was 1.0°C more than the climate norm. The coolest July was that of 1948 with an overall mean temperature of 23.4°C.

The lowest temperature last July was 18.5°C and this was recorded on July 21st and 22nd. The coolest July night was on 2nd July 1923 with a low of 13.9°C.

The wind speed last month, averaging 5.6 knots was less than would be expected during a typical July, the Met Office said. For 90% of the time it was in the light speed bracket (1-10 knots) whilst for 15% of the time it was variable. The North West was the most frequent direction. There was one day when the maximum gust reached 34 knots from the North West by West.

The lowest grass-height temperature last month was 15.3°C recorded on the 2nd.

The average sea surface temperature was 25.0°C.

The mean relative humidity last month was 57% which was lower than the 30-year mean climate average of 69%. "Of particular interest was the low humidity recorded on July 25th which made the heat due to the high temperature more tolerable" the Met Office said.

The Office urged the public to heed its UV Index forecasts as these are currently at dangerous levels, and to seek shade between the critical times of 11 am and 4 pm.

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