Below normal temperature recorded

The thermometer crept up to only 10.3 degrees celsius yesterday, almost five degrees lower than is expected at this time of year, the Met Office said.

It explained that in the past few days, a complex atmospheric low pressure area developed over western Russia and Ukraine. This continued to extend towards the Black Sea, the Balkans and southern Italy bringing with it an unsettled and unstable air mass as well as very cold and strong winds from central Europe towards the central Mediterranean.

Usually the relatively warm sea around the Maltese Islands, which at this time of year is 15 degrees C, warms the air moving over it.

"However, the sea, this time, could not warm the air as this was moving too fast for it to get this job done."

Various areas of Malta may have experienced even lower temperatures yesterday because of frequent rain and hail showers.

"The strong west to northwest winds of the past few days, which reached gale force in places, certainly helped one to keep his cool," commented Saviour Porter, Chief Meteorological Officer.