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Malta’s weather is one of the major reasons why people flock to the Maltese islands throughout the year, with its warm summers, mild winters and 3,000+ hours of sunshine.
No matter what kind of weather you’re used to in your home country, you’re likely to find the weather in Malta pleasant during most times of the year.
If you’re looking to travel to Malta during specific months of the year, this is what you can expect in terms of weather.
The below table shows you the air and sea temperature averages during the year.
| Month | H. of sun | Rain in mm | Temp range | |
| C | F | |||
| January | 5.5 | 90.2 | 10-15 | 49-59 |
| February | 6.4 | 60.3 | 9-15 | 49-59 |
| March | 7.3 | 45.2 | 10-17 | 50-62 |
| April | 8.5 | 25.3 | 12-19 | 53-66 |
| May | 10 | 8.5 | 15-23 | 59-73 |
| June | 11.2 | 4.2 | 19-27 | 65-81 |
| July | 12.2 | 1.1 | 21-30 | 70-86 |
| August | 11.4 | 8.7 | 22-31 | 71-87 |
| September | 9 | 39.4 | 20-28 | 69-82 |
| October | 7.2 | 120.7 | 17-24 | 63-75 |
| November | 6.5 | 75.7 | 14-20 | 57-68 |
| December | 5.2 | 96.2 | 11-17 | 52-62 |
Interested in visiting Malta during a particular time of year? These articles will tell you more about what Malta and the weather are like throughout the year.
Avg annual temperature
Typical summer day temperature
Avg annual sea temperature
At the start of the year, January and February are usually the coldest and windiest months, with average temperatures of between 9 and 15 °C. Although you’ll usually have access to air conditioning (heat mode) or electrical/gas heating, humidity is the toughest to deal with.
In terms of clothes, bring with you thinner clothes that you can layer, as well as a jacket. If you’re particularly sensitive to the cold and looking to be out and about during the evening, consider bringing along thermal wear to be safe – assuming the forecast is suggesting temperatures of below 10 °C.
On those days I myself wear thermal clothing on occasion and don’t feel cold very easily like some people do.
Bring along an umbrella: London-grade for when it’s windy at the same time.
The weather during this time of year usually tends to see temperatures rising a little, but mostly during the day, which means evenings can still be quite cold.
There’s a good chance that high temperatures and sunshine during the day means you’ll be comfortable out and about in a short-sleeved t-shirt or top, but you’ll want to bring along a sweater or hoodie and a jacket (no heavy-duty skiing stuff) for during the evenings.
An umbrella might come in handy but you’ll definitely want a pair of sunglasses.
This is the time of year when winter weather can shift to summer mode in the span of a couple of weeks, so it’s more important than any other time of year to keep an eye on the weather forecast.
You’ll definitely want to bring along a mix of clothes to be prepared for sudden changes in temperatures, especially during the evening, although (heavy rainfall) is unlikely to occur.
This is the time of year during which I usually recommend people to visit Malta. Overall great weather and pleasant temperatures, warm enough to swim, and you avoid the super busy summer months as a bonus!
Peak summer means Malta is a sunbather’s heaven when both clouds and precipitation are rare and temperatures are so high you’ll be picturing yourself soaking in an ice-cube cooled bath more often than not.
For both accommodation as well as car hire, you’ll be thankful you paid a little extra for air conditioning in the car and you won’t think twice about higher fuel consumption. Air conditioning is like the internet and electricity itself in Malta: No one quite knows how humans ever coped without. Air conditioning is in such demand during summer in fact, that it’s not uncommon for peak electric loads to cause a blackout.
Most people enjoy the summer sun and heat of course, but people are advised to drink plenty of water, to stay out of the sun as much as possible between 11 am and 4 pm and wear adequate sun protection. A tan may be a sign of a great summer holiday but a nasty skin disease (not uncommon!) isn’t exactly the right souvenir to return home with. Be wise, not sorry!
For some reason, around the feast the Maltese refer to as Santa Marija (15th August), it’s not uncommon for some rain to fall. Don’t worry too much about umbrellas though, it’ll still be pretty hot so you dry up in no time. Some take the opportunity to go for a warm swim in the rain (if it’s not too windy, that is).
We’re getting to a time of the year where the shift towards cooler winter weather can happen pretty quickly, although usually high temperatures last until the end of October. In fact, you can still comfortably swim during this time of the year (and also get sunburnt).
It’s also a time when the weather can be unpredictable. One year nothing spectacular happens, the next there’s a tropical thunderstorm with heavy rainfall that floods most valleys and catches out drivers whose cars are dragged along with the flow. Be aware of the weather conditions and talk to the locals if you’re looking to go out and about.
Most of your clothing will be short-sleeved still but keep an eye on the forecast and bring along a few options in case temperatures drop.
Although November and December are usually not the coldest months of the year, temperatures can drop and occasionally it does rain. If you’re looking for a winter solace from the cold back home, you’re best off travelling to Malta now than in January or February.
Long-sleeved clothes and a jacket are a must, but your sunglasses will still come in handy for sure.
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Generally speaking, Malta spring and autumn don’t last very long and winter changes to summer and vice versa within the stretch of a few weeks. With a relatively long summer, that probably sounds great for people living up North, but it’s not always ideal.
With seasonal changes that happen in a short space of time, the weather can be unpredictable at times. Particularly at the end of summer, usually around September or October, it’s not uncommon for sudden, heavy rainfall to cause issues on the roads in lower-lying areas of the islands, mostly on the island of Malta.
Because some of these areas are pretty heavily built up, the natural flow of rainwater through the island’s valleys into the sea has been disrupted, resulting in floods. In fact, when heavy rain is expected it’s advised to stay clear of low-lying areas to avoid danger. Having said that, it’s mostly cars that get damaged rather than freak floods causing injury or worse.
Although temperatures already tend to be high during summer (July – August), it’s not uncommon for heatwaves to see temperatures soar into the 40+ °C (104+ °F) region, sometimes lasting for up to a week. Dehydration is the most often occurring health issue during these times, so drink plenty of water.
Another byproduct of hot summers in Malta is what’s referred to by the locals as Rih Isfel (or South wind). Being an island nation, the country is easily affected by wind and the most common wind direction is a cooler North-Westerly wind.
When Rih Isfel occurs in summer, Malta finds itself shrouded in hot, humid (and often dusty – particularly great for asthma sufferers) air. It rarely lasts longer than a couple of days, but it’ll definitely not feel like the pleasantly warm summer weather that’s advertised. Those weather conditions are more common in August and September than in June/July.
When it comes to the weather, the Maltese are far more likely to complain about the heat than about the cold.
That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t get cold in Malta. Although for people from colder regions a daytime temperature of 10 °C (50 °F) isn’t necessarily cold, the relatively high humidity amplifies the sensation. In other words: Even if adequately dressed, you can feel cold to the core.
Winter, however, never lasts very long. The really cold months are usually December and January, sometimes February as well.
You can tell that warmer temperatures are much more common in Malta just by looking at the buildings. Insulation is limited to waterproofing with membrane materials to keep out rainwater, but the porous limestone and hollow cement bricks aren’t great for keeping out the humidity (and cold).
You’ll also notice most buildings have flat roofs, simply because there’s hardly any chance of snow ever falling (the weight of heavy snowfall could cause ceilings to collapse).
Although annual rainfall is relatively low (averaging less than 600mm per year) when it rains it really rains. Tropical type rain that gets you soaked in a matter of seconds. That sounds more ominous than it really is.
Rain doesn’t fall frequently in winter, and the real heavy rainfall is most likely to happen during September or October when temperatures are still warm enough not to have to worry about colds and all that.
Snow is a concept most Maltese people know from TV or from travels to colder countries, considering temperatures in Malta rarely approach 0 °C (32 °F). Hail, on the other hand, is not uncommon, and unfortunately for car owners that sometimes means their vehicles are riddled with small dents, resulting in costly repairs.
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Hello… deciding on a trip to Malta Oct 31-Nov 3… what would the weather be like during this time… will it still be fairly warm?
Hi Joann, it’s hard to predict though seeing the weather cooling down a little earlier than usual this year I don’t expect it to be very warm. Not cold, but not 25+ degrees Celsius, and probably unpredictable rain/wind-wise.
Hi Edward
Wife & I travelling on 21 November 2018 to celebrate her birthday. We’ve done previous years with reasonable weather. As you know Britain had a little heatwave in summer and I wondered if the climate in Malta had experienced raised temperatures which could remain high when we visit this year? Fingers crossed!
Hi Michael, sorry to have to disappoint you but actually it’s been a pretty mild summer here and the weather’s already cooling down and a little unpredictable unfortunately. Either way, late November it’s kind of expected to be well past summer. No worries though, still plenty to do when it comes to sightseeing. Have a browse around on the site and I’m sure you’ll find a few options that’ll make it a good trip even if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Hello, is it warm enough for swimming late in October? Thanks
The weather at that time of year tends to vary. Last year it would’ve been a yes, but this year it’s been a relatively mild summer so the weather could turn earlier in October.
Thinking of coming to Malta for new year – comments re the weather welcome
Hi Gill, other than what I’ve covered in the article there isn’t much to say – I’ve seen warm sunny days around that period as well as cold rainy days so pretty unpredictable.
Hi I’m considering a trip to Malta March 11-29 2019.Wondering what the weather would be at that time of the year and what to pack. Also would it be warm enough to swim?
Hi Dianne, it’ll still most likely be on the chilly side (see temperature table above), although I’d pack a few short sleeve clothes in case you get lucky with a few early spring days with slightly warmer temperatures. It’ll definitely still be too early in the year to swim, however.
Hi, this will be our second visit to Malta, loved it the first time.
Our next holiday is the end of September.
What is the weather like then. X
It’ll still be full-on summer at that time of year Frances, although the chances of rain do increase and the weather can be a little unpredictable.
Am going to st Julian’s on may 29 for a week will I still catch the warmer weather
Yes, you probably will Carl. Probably not full on summer heat, but it’s usually already pretty warm and sunny around that time.
We are going to malta 1th february. What will the weather be like?
Hi Ella, that’s hard to predict at this time of year. All I’ll tell you is that it’s unlikely to be warm. 😉
Hi
We are going at the end of November and I couldn’t help checking the weather in advance, which is saying there will be storms and very windy,will it stop flights?
Thank you
The weather is rarely a cause for flights to be cancelled Marie, although when it does happen it’s usually between late Sep and late Feb. Very hard to predict as you can imagine, especially so far in advance!
Hi we are going to Malta in end of November 2017. What will the weather be like? Thanks
Hi Elena, summer will be well and truly over by then so temperatures will likely have dropped below 20 C and the weather will be unpredictable. If you’re lucky you’ll have days of full on sunshine, if not it could be rainy and windy. Hard to tell so far in advance of course. 😉
Hi! We are going to Malta from June 1st to 8. I am wondering what the sea temperatures at that time. I heard the winter has been very cold.
Hi Gabe, actually winter hasn’t been much colder than usual, perhaps a little more rainy but temperatures rose a little earlier in the year. Sea temperature will probably be around 20 C, so just fine for swimming.
We are going to malta 16th may. What kind of weather should we expect? Wondering on swimming and clothes to wear? Thanks
Julie
Hi Julie, it’s likely to be sunny around that time and, usually, the swimming season starts around that time. During the day short sleeves but best to get a light jacket for during the evenings just in case.
What will be the weather like in mid April? I am worried about these strong winds. Does this affect flights? Is it difficult to land and take off? Is it okay to stay on the Bay street area during mid April? Grateful for reply soon so we can decide whether to visit Malta or not. Thank you.
Hi Ching, in mid-April it’s unlikely that you’ll experience bad weather, let alone to the extent that it’ll affect flights, although you can never exclude it completely until May/June. Bay street is a pretty busy part of town and on the edge of the nightlife centre of Paceville. Public transport connections aren’t great from there. Hard to say whether it’s a good fit or not because I don’t know what type of visit you have in mind.
Hi we are going to Malta in late march 2017 for a family holiday. What will the weather be like? I don’t like it too hot.
Hi Ronald, it’s unlikely to be hot that early on in the year, in fact usually it’ll still be “winter” weather at that time (15-20 C max during the day), although it’s not uncommon for an early spring to push the temperature to 20 C and over.