The Maltese summer was cooler than the average by 0.8, Meteorological data released today shows.

Nevertheless, temperatures still soared to a maximum of 37.5°C on the first day in August and registered a mean of 25.6°C for the whole season. While July was summer’s sunniest month with a total of 364.1 hours of sunshine, June was the wettest with precipitation amounting to 32.8mm.

What started off as a very bright month - with the first day of September enjoying 11.6 hours of sunshine - gradually became duller as the sun set on summer, according to the Met Office.

Last month's air temperatures still exceeded the 31°C mark on the hottest day and registered a mean of 24.9°C; 0.2°C warmer than expected for this time of year. At 25.6°C, the mean sea surface temperature was also marginally higher than the climate norm, prolonging the swimming season.

These warm temperatures were accompanied by a total of 239.2 hours of sunshine. With a mere 0.6 hours of sunshine recorded, the 26th was particularly gloomy, possibly on more levels than one, as the start of the academic year on the day officially marked the end of summer for many.

Usually remembered for its humidity and consequent suffocating weather, September was pleasantly less humid, registering a mean relative humidity of 73 per cent rather than the usual 75 per cent.

September's generally good weather was punctuated by five instances of thunder and a number of wet days, which produced 26.4mm of precipitation - 12mm of this total were recorded on September 25, making it the month’s wettest day. September 1997 holds this month’s precipitation record with a remarkable total of 266.9mm of rain.