Everywhere you look, Malta is bracing (in some cases, excitedly) for unsettled weather as storm systems continue to edge closer from Italy. Maltese Islands Weather reported that earlier this morning, the nearby island of Pantelleria woke up to a fierce thunderstorm that unleashed around 75mm of rain in just a short span of time. While that particular storm isn’t expected to hit Malta directly, it’s a reminder that summer’s steady skies are behind us, and that we’ve entered the season where rapid shifts in weather call for closer monitoring.

A low-pressure system developing over northern Italy is spreading into the central Mediterranean, setting the stage for change. Later today (Wednesday 24th September), a ridge of high pressure is forecast to extend from the Bay of Biscay toward the Maltese Islands, bringing unsettled conditions.

Isolated showers, some possibly accompanied by thunder and strong gusts of wind, are expected throughout the day before skies begin to clear in the afternoon. Cloudy weather is likely to persist in the coming days, with further rainfall possible over the weekend.

Rain is anticipated later today and into Thursday morning (25th September). Friday looks set to remain dry, but heavier storms are on the horizon for Saturday 27th September, with rainfall amounts now forecast between 9mm and 20mm – higher than previously predicted.

Stay tuned for updates as Malta transitions into its wetter, stormier autumn season.

Are you excited for autumn's first storm?