According to The Maltese Islands Weather Facebook page, Malta is currently facing a marine heatwave, with sea surface temperatures around the Mediterranean Sea reaching up to 30°C.

The first 10 meters of water surrounding the Maltese Islands are averaging between 28°C and 29°C, significantly higher than the norm. This unusual warmth has left many swimmers feeling less refreshed after a dip in the sea.

This rise in sea temperatures poses a severe threat to marine ecosystems. Many marine species are not adapted to these warmer conditions and suffer from poor health or even mortality. The life cycles of numerous marine species, particularly regarding reproduction, can be severely disrupted.

Additionally, shallower marine ecosystems experience degradation, and fluctuations in dissolved oxygen levels become more pronounced. Warmer waters also facilitate the spread of alien species, which threaten the survival of indigenous marine life.

Currently, the sea surface temperature around the Maltese Islands stands at 29°C, approximately 2°C above the average. While this may seem like a slight increase, it is significant. Elevated sea surface temperatures inhibit nighttime cooling, causing nighttime lows to remain much higher than usual, even more so than daytime highs. This contributes to increased evaporation rates, leading to higher humidity levels. Consequently, a 30°C day can feel as hot as 38°C in high humidity.

The implications of this marine heatwave extend beyond immediate discomfort. As summer transitions into autumn, cooler air from Europe will begin to move into the central Mediterranean, clashing with the warm local air. This stark contrast can destabilise the atmosphere, potentially resulting in more vigorous and severe weather systems. Moreover, the excess moisture from the warm sea can be absorbed into these systems, fueling their intensity.

Did you notice that the sea is relatively warmer this year?