In contrast with the past few wet and bleak days, the Meteorological Office’s forecast for the upcoming weekend shows the weather is going to favour tourists seeking a mild Christmas in Malta, and those who have left their shopping to the very last minute since rain seems to be nowhere in sight.

In the meantime, clean-up operations are underway after Thursday's storm, with more evidence emerging of the damage caused, including a sailboat which drifted ashore near the Ramla Bay Hotel.

Saturday and Sunday are expected to be characterised by a light to moderate wind blowing from a north-northwest direction, becoming northeast on Saturday and a light northerly on Sunday, the Met Office said. On the other hand, a moderate northwesterly wind is forecast for Christmas Day.

Forecast temperature is a full 4°C lower than the 30-year average

All indicates that the weather will be mainly sunny and fine on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, albeit somewhat chilly as the cool spell that has hit the islands is not expected to be broken before Christmas.

People who will be out and about crossing the last few presents off their lists or celebrating at outdoor events, are advised to wrap up as the maximum temperature is going to hover around the 17°C mark, dropping to a minimum of 7°C on Saturday.

Source: Met Office

While the forecast lowest temperature might appear to be high in comparison with sub-zero temperatures expected in some parts of Europe, it still is a full 4°C lower than the 30-year average on record for this time of year.

For more up-to-the-minute weather updates, we invite you to follow https://www.maltairport.com/weather.