Though social media reports warn of an imminent heatwave, the meteorological office is not forecasting extraordinarily high temperatures in the coming days.
The mercury is not expected to rise above 35°C, which is slightly above the mean maximum temperature for August.
A Malta International Airport Met Office spokeswoman confirmed this when the Times of Malta enquired about social media reports, which warned that a North African anticyclone would grip the central Mediterranean region as from today. Some reports even suggested that temperatures could feel as hot as 45°C.
However, the seven-day forecast issued by the Met Office shows that the hottest days will be Thursday to Saturday when the highest temperature will not exceed 35°C.
When considering that the mean highest temperature for August was 31.7°C, this hot spell could not be defined as a heatwave, the spokeswoman noted.
The Met Office declares a heatwave when the daily maximum temperature of three or more consecutive days goes up by 5°C above the norm
“The Met Office declares a heatwave when the daily maximum temperature of three or more consecutive days goes up by 5°C above the norm,” she added.
For those dreading the hot sticky weather, the bad news is that, in reality, temperatures will feel like 40°C due to the humid conditions.
The hottest day ever recorded in August was 18 years ago when the temperature reached 43.8°C. Though this year no such highs are forecast, over-exposure to direct sunlight is highly discouraged as it could result in dehydration and serious health complications, especially among infants, children and the elderly.
People suffering from chronic conditions and those leading a very active lifestyle should also need to take extra care. Doctors also recommend drinking lots of water and avoiding alcohol, remaining inside between 11am and 4pm and opting for salads rather than hot food.
The spokeswoman clarified that the Met Office had no links with the internet site World Weather Online, which features a “Malta International Airport 14-day forecast”