• 2018’s July weather in Malta saw air temperatures ranging between 20.2˚C and 35.7˚C
• Average sea temperature 0.9˚C higher than the norm
• Brightest July day enjoyed almost 14 hours of sunshine

Sizzling summer days hit the islands as July’s air temperature went from a minimum of 20.2˚C at the beginning of the month to a high of 35.7˚C. While many flocked to the beach to beat the heat, the average sea temperature for the month was a full 0.9˚C higher than the norm of 24.7˚C.

A total of 19 July days registered a maximum air temperature that exceeded the climate norm of 31.6˚C, making the weather a bit too hot for some. However, last month’s maximum temperature came nowhere near close to the highest July temperature on record, registered back in 1988 when the mercury shot up to a blistering 42.7˚C.

During the month, the islands basked in 363.6 hours of sunshine and enjoyed generally clear skies. In fact, the mean cloud cover for July was 0.8 oktas, which is slightly lower than the norm. The twenty-eighth day of July was exceptionally bright, clocking up 13.9 hours of sunshine.

With 6.4 hours of sunshine recorded, on the other hand, the 23rd of July was last month’s dullest day. Moreover, the day accounted for the month’s maximum gust of 32 knots, which blew from a north-west by north direction.

Overall, 2018’s July weather in Malta was windier than the climate norm, with the wind speed averaging at 7.5 knots rather than 6.8 knots.

In the first week of the month, fog was reported on three separate days. Dew, which amounted to 0.6 mm, was also measured on three July days.