July was hotter and windier than usual, sea temperature 2 degrees higher

July was hotter and windier than usual, with temperatures reaching 40.5°C and the sea offering no relief, as its temperature was over 2°C above normal. 

The average temperature for July stood at 28.4°C, which is 1.5°C warmer than the climatic norm of 26.9°C, figures released by Malta Airport on Thursday show.

Both the mean maximum (33.2°C) and the mean minimum temperatures (23.7°C) were above their respective norms. The hottest day was on July 22 when the temperature stood at 40.5°C.

However, this was not the hottest July on record. On July 24, 2023, the mercury hit a sizzling 42.7°C, with a real feel of 44°C, equalling the highest ever temperature recorded for July which was reached in 1988.

The hottest days in July 2025 occurred in the second half of the month, with the Meteorological Office even issuing red warnings, the highest level of alert, to inform the public about extreme temperatures that on some days exceeded 40°C.

The sweltering weather prompted a new SMS alert system launched by the Health Ministry and the Meteorological Office to warn of any upcoming heatwaves and offering advice on how to cope in such temperatures.

The lowest temperature last month, 21.4°C, was recorded on July 11.

Even the sea offered little relief with sea surface temperatures averaging 27.4°C, which is 2.2°C above the climatic norm.

Malta Airport noted that on certain days, particularly around the second Sunday of the month and towards the end, the north-westerly wind brought some respite and lowered temperatures slightly.

While wind in July is nothing unusual, last month was windier than the climatic norm, with an average wind speed of 8.3 knots. The strongest gust was recorded on July 28 blowing from the west-northwest and reaching 36 knots.

The sweltering temperatures in July prompted a new SMS alert system to warn the public of heatwaves and safety precautions. Photo: Malta Airport

Isolated showers on Santa Marija Sunday ‘possible’

If July left the fields completely parched, August normally brings a little relief thanks to the popular ‘għerejjex ta’ Santa Marija.’

The weather forecast for the long Santa Marija weekend indicates the possibility of isolated showers on Sunday, Malta Airport said.

However, festa enthusiasts in the seven towns celebrating Santa Marija can “rest assured that the weather is expected to remain hot and sunny until Saturday” with the maximum temperature forecast to reach 34°C.

Despite slightly cloudy skies and the possibility of rain, the temperatures are expected to vary between 24°C and 32°C on Sunday.