The wind is back! Warning issued as gale-force winds hit Malta and fast ferry trips are cancelled
If you’re near the coast, keep a safe distance over the next few days.
The January winds are keeping us company till the very end! A wind warning has been issued by weather portals, coming into effect today, Wednesday 28th January, and expected to remain in place until the early hours of Friday 30th January.
According to the weather page ‘It-Temp Madwarna’, the unsettled weather is being driven by a low-pressure system stretching from the Gulf of Genoa towards the Tyrrhenian Sea, while a ridge of high pressure over Algeria and Morocco intensifies conditions across the central Mediterranean. The result will be strong to gale-force winds, blowing from the West-Northwest to West.
Conditions are expected to peak throughout the day on Thursday, when winds are forecast to reach Force 7 to 8, with violent gusts in more exposed areas.
Sea conditions will also deteriorate significantly, with the sea becoming very rough and wave heights reaching up to a whopping 6 metres, so you’ll definitely want to keep a safe distance from the coast over the coming days.
Winds are expected to gradually ease on Friday, dropping to Force 5 to 6, although further weather warnings are possible heading into the weekend, so you might want to have some indoor plans on standby.
As a result of the conditions, the Gozo Fast Ferry from Valletta will be suspended for the entire day tomorrow, while delays are expected on the Gozo Channel too, and cancellations are also likely on Valletta ferries serving Sliema and the Three Cities.
Stay safe and updated!