July heat record shattered as Malta hits 43.3°C
Monthly maximum temperature record shattered just three years after previous high
Malta experienced its hottest July day on record on Saturday, as temperatures soared to a sizzling 43.3°C, the Meteorological Office has confirmed.
The sweltering heat surpassed the previous July record of 42.7°C back in 2023.
While the Met Office forecast temperatures to reach 41°C between Saturday and Tuesday, and issued a red heat warning, a spokesperson told Times of Malta the maximum temperature recorded at Luqa Airport on Saturday was 43.3°C.
Saturday's temperature is just 0.5°C below the all-time record of 43.8°C in August, 1999.
The news comes a day after public health authorities escalated the Heat Health Action Plan in response to the forecast heatwave, which is indicated to be the hottest weekend of the summer so far.
June 2026 was the hottest June recorded in western Europe and the second hottest across Europe as a whole, at 1.78°C above the 1991–2020 average. France recorded its hottest June, while England also had its warmest June on record.
Barcelona reached 40.7°C on July 9, reportedly its highest temperature in 112 years, while temperatures elsewhere in Spain climbed to about 44°C.
Authorities are urging the public to keep cool, stay out of the sun and drink plenty of water. Cooling centres in various localities are being activated to support highly vulnerable individuals who may not have access to adequate cooling facilities at home.
Culture Minister Malcolm Paul Agius Galea, a doctor by profession, also urged the public to be wary of the weather and to drink a lot of water, and to ease off the alcohol, which would only dehydrate them more.
He also warned to keep an eye on dementia patients, who might be unaware they are dehydrated or feeling hot.