Temperatures that were higher than expected by varying degrees were experienced again in May, the Meteorological Office said.

The high temperatures were not, however, complemented by typical spring weather, as May was wetter, duller, and windier than usual.

Stronger winds - blowing at an average of 10.7 knots when compared to the climate norm of 8.6 knots - whipped up dust particles, which remained suspended in the air causing low visibility on the 10th and 11th of the month. The poor visibility on these two days was exacerbated by fog occurrences.

The highest temperature for the month was on the 11th, when thunder was also recorded. The temperature of 29.8°C fell 5.5°C short of breaking the highest temperature on record for the month, registered in 2006.

There were six instances this month when rain was recorded with total rainfall finally amounting to 12.2mm.

South-westerly winds blowing sand to the Maltese islands from over the Sahara Desert led to two occurrences of blood rain - on May 1 and 5.