• December recorded 41.2 mm less rainfall than the climatic norm.
• The highest temperature reached 21.3°C; the lowest dropped to 8°C.
• The average sea temperature was 2.2°C higher than the norm.

Last month continued the trend observed month by month in 2024, closing the year with drier-than-average weather. In fact, in December, the Meteorological Office measured 43.6 mm of rainfall, 41.2 mm below the quota.

The 5th of December was the wettest day, with the Meteorological Office recording 11.6 mm of rainfall in less than 24 hours. Although the days following the Feast of the Immaculate Conception were characterised by relatively stable weather, rain returned on 15th December with 7 mm of rainfall. During the Christmastime the amount of rain was not significant. During the same month, the Maltese Islands experienced three thunderstorms.

Unstable weather often brought strong winds. In fact, the average wind speed for December was 9.8 knots, which is 0.7 knots stronger than average. The strongest wind gusts were recorded on the 20th and 23rd days of December, blowing from the west and reaching 45 knots.

During this month, the average air temperature stood at 14.5°C, matching the climatic norm. The highest temperature was recorded on 14th December, when the mercury rose to 21.3°C, while the coldest night fell on 30th December, with temperatures dropping to 8°C.

An interesting observation was the sea temperature, which remained unusually warm due to the mild autumn months. The average sea surface temperature was 20.5°C, this being 2.2°C warmer than the norm.

December days averaged 5.3 hours of sunshine, with the sunniest days being on the 22nd and 31st when 8.6 hours of sunshine were recorded. In contrast, 2nd December was the gloomiest, receiving less than one hour of sunshine.

Published on 17/01/2025