This year’s exceptionally high sea temperature may be a catalyst for storms but for the time being only showers are expected, a Met Office spokeswoman said yesterday.

The mean sea temperature in August from 1981 to 2010 was 24.7˚C. This year, the sea was already warmer in July, with a mean value of 26.3 ˚C. Right now it stands at 28˚C, nearly a warm bath.

Asked whether the recent spell of hot, sticky weather was related to this phenomenon, the airport’s Met Office spokeswoman said a higher sea surface temperature had no immediate effect on the air temperature or the weather in general.

However, over a longer period of time such conditions could eventually result in the formation of storms. Some experts believe that the warmer surface water dissipates more readily into vapour, making it easier for storms to form in the area, she said.

Meanwhile the light drizzle reported yesterday in several parts of the island might have heralded the early arrival of the traditional għarajjex ta’ Santa Marija – thin, flitting clouds which appear in mid-August close to the feast of Santa Marija that may bring occasional showers.

These għarajjex usually bring along a brief respite from the hot weather and are especially welcomed by farmers.

According to the Met Office weather station in Dingli, 0.2mm of rain was measured yesterday.

Meanwhile Times of Malta readers, who were very keen on the prospect of some early August showers, sent photos of the marks left by raindrops on car windscreens and window panes.

While the weather in the coming days is expected to cool down, with temperatures varying between 34˚C during the day and 25˚C at night, the outlook will remain mainly sunny to partly cloudy.

The Met Office said there is the possibility of showers but ruled them out at this stage.

Historically, the mean maximum daytime temperature for August has been 31.7˚C, with the lowest during the night falling to 22.6 ˚C.

In the past five days temperatures have hovered well above these values and at one point reached a maximum of 38.4 ˚C. The humid conditions made the situation worse, with temperatures at times feeling like 42˚C.

The hot weather was also experienced at night when temperatures felt like 29˚C.

According to the record books, the highest ever temperature in August was recorded in 1999, when the mercury soared to 43.8˚C. The coolest August night was recorded in 1972 at 15.9˚C.

Though average rainfall for August is a mere 7mm, this data has to be treated with caution due to the possibility of freak end-of-summer storms. In 1964 the monthly total reached 155 mm – a record which stands to this day.

Recent hot spell in numbers*

*Source: Met Office at the Malta International Airport.

Warning for workers

The Occupational Health and Safety Authority has issued a warning to those who work in the sun and heat in view of the current heatwave.

Workers were asked to take measures to prevent health problems that could have serious consequences.

Guidelines are available on the authority’s website.

For more information, contact the OHSA on 2124 7677, e-mail ohsa@gov.mt or visit www.ohsa.org.mt