Climate - Malta

Malta's climate is typically Mediterranean, with mild, rainy winters and hot, sunny summers. Malta is an archipelago located in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, consisting of three main islands, Malta (Malta), Gozo (Ghawdex) and Comino (Kemmuna), as well as some uninhabited islands.

Winter, from December to February, is mild: the monthly average temperature in December is 14 °C (57 °F), while in January and February it's 12 °C (53.5 °F), and the daily temperature range is limited. Cold days are rare, and at most, there may be some days with highs below 10 °C (50 °F), but it never snows nor freezes. Sunny periods are quite frequent also in this season, although there are periods of bad weather too, with rain and wind, which last a few days.

In spring, the temperature gradually rises: the average maximum is around 17 °C (63 °F) in March, 19 °C (66 °F) in April, and 23 °C (73 °F) in May. The rains become less and less frequent, and as early as in April, they begin to be rare. The sun shines more and more unchallenged.

Summer, from June to August, is hot and sunny, with highs around 30 °C (86 °F), and it's sultry, but tempered by sea breezes.

In autumn, the temperature is initially high, and then gradually decreases. In September, there's still summer-like weather, especially in the first half; usually, the first disturbances arrive at the end of the month, accompanied by thunderstorms. In October, the temperature is still pleasant, with highs around 24 °C (75 °F).

Here are the average temperatures in the capital, Valletta.

Rainfall in Malta is not abundant: it slightly exceeds 500 millimeters (20 inches) per year. The rains follow the typical Mediterranean pattern, so they are concentrated in the period from October to March, while they are scarce in the other months; in summer, it almost never rains. Here is the average precipitation.

Sometimes, the Maltese archipelago can be affected by the Sirocco, a hot, dry wind blowing from the Saharan desert, often accompanied by dust or sand. This wind blows more frequently in spring and autumn, and it is able to raise the temperature by several degrees. On the contrary, in summer, the Sirocco is usually weaker, and it is brought by the African anticyclone, in periods lasting a few days of very hot and sunny weather, with maximum temperatures about 37/40 °C (99/104 °F).



The amount of sunshine in Malta is great in summer, when clear skies prevail; in winter, there are a good number of sunny periods, but they alternate with periods of bad weather, with rain, wind and thunderstorms. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The sea in Malta is warm enough to swim in from July to October, while it's still a bit cool in June, about 21 °C (70 °F).

Best Time

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The islands of the archipelago, with their characteristic towns, villages and ports, can be preferably explored in April, May and the first half of October.

For a beach holiday, the summer, from June to September, is the best season.

What to pack

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In winter: bring spring/autumn clothes, a sweater, a jacket, and a raincoat or umbrella.
In summer: bring light clothing, sunscreen, a sun hat, a light sweatshirt for the evening, and a light scarf for the breeze.