The Maltese Islands Weather page has shared a handy chart, explaining what the terms ‘heat index’, ‘apparent temperature’ or ‘real feel temperature’ actually mean. All three terms refer to what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature.
Although a thermometer could be reading, for instance, 32 degrees, the temperature felt on the human body could be that of 40 degrees if the relative humidity is at 50%.
Luckily, as the temperature rises, levels of relative humidity tend to fall, making it unlikely for one to experience a very high temperature and relative humidity simultaneously. This is why the lower temperatures of September tend to bring about higher levels of humidity, with the characteristic feeling of heaviness in the air.
Moreover, the chart indicates the risk level that the heat poses to the public, depending on the heat index felt. Risks vary from possible fatigue with prolonged exposure, with a heat index between 30 and 34, to the higher risks verging on danger at heat indexes 46 to 53, during which heat exhaustion is likely, and heat stroke is possible with prolonged exposure. Luckily, Malta hasn’t hit those values yet!
Keep hydrated and in the shade whenever possible!