News
This August fourth warmest since 1922
With a mean air temperature of 28.6°C, August 2012 was the fourth warmest August since 1922.
The mean temperature registered by Malta Airport Met Office in August exceeded the climate norm by 2.3°C. The warmest August was that of 1999 with a mean temperature of 29.3°C.
The highest temperature was registered on August 8 when it reached a maximum of 40.8°C. This maximum temperature is the second highest temperature ever reached in August and it is 10.1°C more than the 30-year climate norm. The highest temperature ever reached in August was 43.8°C on 9th August 1999.
A total of three (3) heat advisories were issued by the Malta Airport MetOffice to the Health Authorities on the 6th, 8th and 13th of August.
The lowest temperature last August was 21.5°C and this was recorded on August 31st. This August is the third with the highest minimum temperature ever recorded since 1922.The highest minimum temperature was 22.2°C on August 5, 26 and 31, 1945.
The average sea surface temperature was 27.8°C. This is 2.3°C higher than the average value for August.
The mean relative humidity last month was 70% which is lower than the 30-year mean climate average of 73%.
A trace rainfall was recorded at Malta Airport during the month of August. This is much less than the climate norm of 7mm for August.
This month we had an average of 10 hours and 48 minutes of sunshine a day, which is very close to the August norm of 10 hours 54 minutes. The brightest day was August 1 with 12.9 hours whilst the dullest was on the 29th with 4.4 hours.
The wind speed in August, averaging 5.8 knots was less than expected during a typical August. For 92% of the time it was in the light speed bracket (1-10 knots). The South West wind was the most frequent direction.
On August 26 a maximum wind gust of 22 knots was recorded from the West by South direction. The highest wind gust measured at Malta Airport MetOffice during the month of August since 1947 was 59 knots, recorded on August 26 1964.



