Heavy hail blankets parts of Malta

Updated 3pm

Heavy hail rained down on Malta overnight on Saturday, blanketing parts of the country in ice.

Most impacted were the western parts of the country, such as Rabat and Baħrija, where local roads ended up covered in several inches of hailstones.

Videos shared on social media showed flooded streets in Rabat, with icy hail being washed down empty roads. Another video sent to Times of Malta showed parked cars in Mtarfa effectively buried in hailstones up to the top of their tyres. 

Residents were forced to shovel the hail to move the vehicles in the morning. Rabat's main square was still covered in hail as of 7.45am on Saturday morning. 

The Civil Protection Department cautioned motorists to slow down, avoid unnecessary travel where possible and remain alert to changing weather conditions.

Staff from the Cleansing and Maintenance Division were also deployed to help clean up roads and render them safe. Junior Minister Glenn Bedingfield thanked workers for adapting to the unusual weather conditions. 

By 3pm, Triq L-Gheriexen in Rabat had been cleared of hail, and the CPD was preparing to reopen it to traffic. 

Cleansing Maintenance Division staff worked through the day to clear Rabat roads of the ice. Photo: CMD

Weather stations recorded a massive 56mm of rainfall over 24 hours in Dingli and 36mm in Mosta. In Luqa, 23.6mm of rainfall was recorded.  Rainfall was more moderate in Gozo and southern Malta. 

The bad weather overnight forced a Ryanair flight from Naples to be diverted to Catania.

The Malta Met Office weather station has issued an Orange weather warning for Saturday, cautioning that heavy thunderstorms, gusty winds and hail will hit parts of the Maltese Islands on Saturday morning. 

Precipitation readings by the Malta Met Office.

Hail covered streets in Mtarfa and Rabat. Photo: CPD

Weather conditions are expected to improve for the rest of the weekend before turning more aggressive on Monday, with gale-force winds reaching up to Force 8 in speed forecast between Monday and Tuesday. 

The Civil Protection Department advised motorists to exercise caution. Photo: CPD

Hail is solid precipitation in the form of ice, and hailstones can range in size from a few millimetres to several centimetres in diameter. Hail typically forms in thunderstorms, when water droplets are carried upwards, freeze and continue growing and cooling until they become too heavy and fall to the ground. 

'Take care of the elderly'

In a Facebook post, Mater Dei Hospital warned that the cold weather conditions increased the risk of slips, falls, and cold-related illness.

The hospital urged people to check on elderly relatives and neighbours regularly, ensuring they kept their homes adequately warm, and encouraging them to wear warm clothing and have hot drinks.

"A simple fall, especially if a person remains on the ground for some time, can lead to a dangerously low body temperature. If a low body temperature or serious injury is suspected, call 112 immediately. Stay alert, stay safe, and look out for one another."