Meteorological records show that 2018 was the stormiest year ever, particularly in the summer months when it thundered on a record 10 days.

Following two successive years in which precipitation levels were below average, the past 12 months also turned out to be wetter than the norm, albeit slightly hotter.

These trends emerge from an analysis of meteorological and climatological statistic data gathered by Malta International Airport up to December 23.

Overall, 2018 turned out to be a wetter-than-average year, following two years of significantly drier weather. February 9 was the second-wettest day for the month since 1923, with 117 millimetres of rain being registered. 

Unfortunately, this heavy downpour disrupted carnival weekend, with many activities having to be called off due to the inclement weather.

The rain measured between January and December (intra-annual total) exceeded the climate quota by 27.5mm at 596.6mm. The bulk of the precipitation was in October, ending up being the wettest month with 189mm of rain and the stormiest since 1951, followed by February with 181.4mm. These two months accounted for two-thirds of all the rain that fell in 2018. 

In terms of temperatures, no extremes were recorded.

The mercury topped the highest mark in July, with 35.7°C, way below the blistering 42.7°C reached in 1988, the highest ever for the month. On the other hand, the coldest night was recorded in February, when the temperature fell to 6.4°C on the 16th, which coincided with a cold snap across southern Europe.

Despite the fact that the mean air temperature in 2018 was 0.8°C warmer than the norm, June and August stood out for being marginally cooler during the day when compared to the 1981-2010 climate baseline. This trend correlates with the fact that last summer was the stormiest ever, with two thundery days in June and no fewer than five in August.

August was cloudier than the norm and was also characterised by six rainy days, particularly a storm on the eve of the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, which wreaked havoc among fireworks enthusiasts. A total of 53.8mm of rain fell during the month, which was nowhere near the all-time record of 155.5mm in August 1964.

While there is no scientific way to forecast the weather a year in advance, according to an old Maltese tradition known as l-irwiegel, the 12 days before Christmas give a taste of the forthcoming 12 months. Judging by what has been observed last month when it hardly rained at all between December 13 and 25, it looks like 2019 could spell bad news for farmers.

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