As 2023 is coming to a close, the weather is looking like it will stably leave this year, with no surprises up its sleeve.

Last week, we witnessed vigorous wind hitting our islands but it’s all looking smooth for this week. You might see the sun making an appearance once again despite it being partly cloudy all week.

As reported by the Facebook page, Maltese Islands Weather, there’s an interesting story behind the clouds that have hit Malta and Gozo over the past few days.

The Maltese Islands have been under the persistent influence of an almost entirely flat sheet of cloud, specifically identified as stratocumulus cumulogenitus. This meteorological phenomenon is attributed to a unique atmospheric condition in the central Mediterranean, where relatively warm sea temperatures and an unstable lower atmosphere facilitate the formation of convective clouds, particularly cumulus.

The outcome is the creation of a distinctive low-lying cloud cover, often extending over a large area of the sky, referred to as anticyclonic gloom. These clouds lack the density to produce rain, and their origin, influenced by factors such as the Azores' high pressure, contributes to the prevailing weather conditions, bringing about gloomy skies and warm to very warm temperatures during the winter.

In fact, while other European countries are experiencing very low temperatures, the maximum temperature in Malta this week is still relatively high at 19°C, remaining steady throughout most of the week at 18°C. The lowest temperature will go down to 12°C with a real feel of 11°C.

Wind will be blowing at Force 2-3 increasing slightly over the weekend at Force 3-4 on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st. No rain is predicted for New Year’s Eve so your party plans look like they might be safe this year!

Are you looking forward to a ‘hopefully’ colder January?