If February felt like one long stretch of grey skies and blustery afternoons, you weren’t imagining it – well, at least not entirely. While the month may have seemed relentlessly gloomy (aside from this final burst of sunshine), the data tells a slightly different story: February was actually significantly drier than average.

Malta recorded a national mean rainfall of just 20.6mm, which amounts to only 33% of the climatic norm for February. It did rain on 13 separate days, but none of those days brought particularly heavy downpours. The wettest day of the month was the 20th, with a national mean of just 5.2mm.

So why did it feel so wet? The answer lies in perception. Rain was frequent, often lingering for hours at a time, but mostly falling at light intensities. Instead of dramatic storms, we experienced steady, persistent drizzle – the kind that keeps skies grey and spirits slightly lower.

The winds, on the other hand, were anything but subtle. An impressive 21 out of February’s 28 days recorded winds of Force 5 or stronger. Several weather warnings were issued throughout the month, ranging from yellow to orange and even red over the Carnival weekend.

Now, as March rolls in over the coming weekend, many will be hoping for calmer days, lighter breezes and the first real taste of spring. After weeks of gusty commutes and umbrella battles, the idea of hiking trails, seaside walks and even early swims sounds particularly appealing.

Bring on the sunshine!