'We're a bit upset': Carnival's grand defilé cancelled due to strong winds

Updated 2.52pm

Carnival's closing programme has been cancelled after the Met Office issued an orange weather warning for near gale-force winds on Tuesday. 

A competitive dancing programme and the grand finale parade of floats down St Anne's Street in Floriana was due to take place in the evening but was cancelled due to the weather. 

Carnival artistic director Jason Busutill said it was "disappointing" for enthusiasts, especially as Sunday's schedule was also cancelled due to safety concerns. 

The last time the grand defilé was cancelled due to bad weather was in 2018,  while in 2013, carnival celebrations took place on only one day, again due to bad weather. 

Jeremy Mercieca, from Dream Team Carnival Company, said the team had been working tirelessly for over a year on this year’s Rockestra-themed float.

“It was an intense year of work for all of us, and we were looking forward to enjoying Carnival to the full,” he told Times of Malta. “So we are a bit upset the finale has been cancelled.”

On Tuesday afternoon, Festivals Malta announced that the decision to cancel the carnival grand defilé in St Anne Street, Floriana and the programme in St George's Square, Valletta, was taken in consultation with civil authorities.

Festivals Malta said the floats will remain parked in St James Ditch until around 9:30pm, when the wind is expected to subside, after which they will begin making their way back to the warehouses.

The Met Office issued an orange weather warning lasting until Tuesday night as winds are expected to reach near gale-force speeds.

The warning, which advises the public to “be prepared”, is the second most serious weather warning behind red-level alerts.

In a Facebook post, the Civil Protection Department said a west-northwesterly wind will be “strong, reaching gale force at times”, over exposed areas of the country, while urging the public to exercise “extreme caution”.

The warning is valid until 10pm.

Civil protection authorities urged workers to avoid operating at height – including balconies, scaffolding and exposed structures – and to stay away from coastal areas “due to dangerous sea conditions and strong waves”.

Motorists are advised to drive carefully, and loose outdoor objects should be secured.

The Gozo Fast Ferry service, which operates between Valletta and Mġarr, has been suspended "until further notice" due to the unfavourable weather conditions.

The Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) advised workers to avoid working on roofs, scaffolding or elevated walkways and to secure loose materials, tools, equipment and temporary structures.

Workplace signs should reflect current weather conditions, and emergency access routes should be maintained at all times.

The OHSA advised workers to exercise caution near trees and power lines, and said companies should advise employees to allow extra time for travel arrangements and stay alert for falling debris near car parks and entry points to sites.

Tower cranes must be left free to move in the wind when unattended and must not have suspended loads, the OHSA said.

The Met Office at Malta International Airport forecasts west-northwesterly winds of up to Force 7 on Tuesday, with temperatures ranging between 11 and 17 degrees Celsius.

It said weather on Tuesday night would be partly cloudy with a very strong Northwest wind becoming rather strong.

Popular weather website Windfinder predicts average wind speeds of 36 knots – equivalent to 66 kilometres per hour – by 1pm, the windiest time of the day, and maximum gusts of up to 57 knots, equivalent to 105km/h. Waves are expected to reach 2.4 metres.

Tuesday is expected to be cloudy.

Winds hit gale-force speeds at 34 knots, or 62km/h, according to the internationally recognised Beaufort Scale.

Tuesday’s adverse weather follows weeks of tumultuous conditions in Malta, which last month was hit by Storm Harry.

And less than a week ago, civil protection authorities issued a red weather warning.