Malta has the most sunshine of any country in Europe — over 3,000 hours a year, compared to 1,500 for London or 2,700 for Rome. Summers are brutally hot and dry, winters are mild and sometimes windy, and there’s basically no spring or autumn as most of Europe knows them. This guide gives you the honest, detailed breakdown of malta weather: month by month, sea temperatures, rainfall, the sirocco and majjistral winds, and exactly what to pack. Whether you’re checking weather in malta for a trip next week or planning a year ahead, the data here is the most complete picture of malta climate you’ll find.
Malta Climate Overview
Malta has a classic Mediterranean malta climate — hot dry summers, mild wet winters, and transitions so short you barely notice them. Key stats for weather in malta europe:
- Average yearly temperature — 19°C (66°F)
- Annual sunshine — 3,054 hours (Europe’s highest)
- Summer high — 32-38°C (90-100°F) in July and August
- Winter low — rarely below 8°C (46°F)
- Yearly rainfall — 553 mm, almost all of it November-February
- Malta sea temperature range — 15°C in February to 27°C in August
- Snow — no. It has snowed three times in recorded history
The islands sit low in the Mediterranean with no mountains to block wind or catch rain. That means dry, sunny weather malta most of the year — but also strong winds and occasional violent storms when weather systems do roll in. The malta country weather pattern is one of the most reliable in Europe: what you see in the forecast, you generally get.
Malta Temperature by Month — Full Data Table
Detailed malta temperature by month breakdown — the most useful single reference for planning. Temperatures shown are the daytime high / nighttime low in °C, with sea temperature and sunshine hours.
| Month | High / Low °C | Sea temp | Rain days | Sun/day | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15 / 10 | 15°C | 12 | 5h | Quiet, cheap, cultural |
| February | 15 / 9 | 15°C | 10 | 6h | Carnival week, low prices |
| March | 17 / 10 | 15°C | 8 | 7h | Warming up, empty sites |
| April | 19 / 12 | 17°C | 5 | 8h | Ideal for sightseeing |
| May | 23 / 15 | 19°C | 2 | 10h | Excellent all-rounder |
| June | 28 / 19 | 22°C | 1 | 11h | Hot, pre-peak crowds |
| July | 32 / 22 | 25°C | 0 | 12h | Peak season, peak heat |
| August | 33 / 23 | 27°C | 1 | 11h | Hottest, busiest, warmest sea |
| September | 29 / 21 | 26°C | 3 | 9h | Sweet spot for most visitors |
| October | 25 / 18 | 24°C | 6 | 7h | Still warm, fewer crowds |
| November | 21 / 14 | 20°C | 9 | 6h | Mild, rainy spells, quiet |
| December | 17 / 11 | 17°C | 11 | 5h | Mild Christmas, very quiet |
Malta Weather Month by Month
Malta Weather January & February
Malta weather january: daytime highs of 14-16°C, occasional dips to 8°C at night. Rain comes in bursts — a sunny week followed by two days of proper storms. Sea hovers around 15°C. January is the quietest and cheapest month on the island — hotel rates are at their annual bottom, cultural sites are empty, and Valletta feels like a different city without the summer crowds. Temperature in malta in january: average 15°C high / 10°C low.
Malta weather february: similar temperatures to January, but with Carnival usually in the last week — the island suddenly fills with costumes, floats and parties in Valletta and Nadur. Malta temperature february: 15°C high / 9°C low. Malta february temperatures feel colder than the numbers suggest due to the damp sea wind — pack a proper jacket.
Malta Weather March & April
Malta weather march: the island starts warming up. Afternoons can hit 19-20°C on sunny days, mornings are still cool. Easter falls here in some years — if it does, expect Good Friday processions and sudden tourist influxes. Malta temperature march: average 17°C high / 10°C low. Temperature in malta in march: low enough that you still need layers but comfortable for walking and sightseeing.
Malta weather april: the best month for non-beach trips. Average 19°C highs with plenty of sunshine and only 5 rainy days. By late April things feel properly Mediterranean without the summer heat. Malta temperature april: 19°C high / 12°C low. Temperature in malta in april: ideal for hiking, clifftop walks and all-day sightseeing. Weather in malta in april is consistently one of the most pleasant windows of the year.
Malta Weather May & June
Malta weather may: arguably the best overall month for most travellers. Average 23°C, 2 rain days, 10 hours of sun, sea at 19°C. Hot enough for the beach, cool enough to walk Valletta without suffering. Malta temperature may: 23°C high / 15°C low. May malta weather is the insider choice — you get full summer conditions without the July-August crowds and prices.
Malta weather june: the start of serious heat. Average 28°C with the sea hitting 22°C — full beach days are possible. Malta weather in june is peak party season kicking off, with nightlife ramping up and accommodation prices 20-30% lower than July-August. Temperature in malta in june: 28°C high / 19°C low. Malta temperature june: hot but not yet unbearable.
Malta Weather July & August
Malta weather july: 32°C average, zero rain, 12 hours of daily sun. Peak season in every sense — prices, crowds, heat. The sea is 25°C and perfect for swimming, but the midday heat (sometimes 36-38°C) is genuinely intense. Malta temperature july: 32°C high / 22°C low. Weather in malta in july: plan beach mornings, shaded lunches, late afternoon/evening activities.
Malta weather august: the hottest month. Average 33°C, sea at 27°C (bath temperature), nights at 23°C. Malta weather in august is the choice for full beach-and-nightlife immersion — but it’s intense. Malta temperature august: 33°C high / 23°C low. August weather in malta with humidity can feel 3-5°C hotter than the thermometer reads. Pack SPF 50+.
Malta Weather September & October
Malta weather september: the sweet spot. 25-29°C with sea still at 26°C, but the crushing heat has eased and crowds thin from mid-month. Malta weather in september is what most regulars consider the best overall month — all the beach conditions without the August madness. Malta temperature september: 29°C high / 21°C low. Weather in malta in september: excellent for combining beach and cultural sightseeing.
Malta weather october: still genuinely warm (23-25°C) and the sea holds at 23-24°C through most of the month. Weather in malta in october is hugely underrated — you can still swim comfortably while paying shoulder-season prices and visiting sites without queues. Malta temperature october: 25°C high / 18°C low. Malta october weather: rain picks up from mid-October with the first proper autumn storms. What’s the weather like in malta in october: warm days, occasional dramatic storms, much quieter island.
Malta Weather November & December
Malta weather november: 18-22°C days, sea still at 20°C through early November — swimming is still possible for the hardy. Rain increases. Malta temperature november: 21°C high / 14°C low. Weather in malta in november: mix of sunny days and rainy spells, very quiet tourist-wise. What’s the weather like in malta in november: pleasant in sunshine, grey and wet when it rains.
Malta weather december: average 16-17°C, 11 rainy days, but also many clear sunny days. Malta weather in december is genuinely mild — nothing like a northern European December. Temperature in malta in december: 17°C high / 11°C low. Weather at christmas in malta: mild (14-17°C), often sunny, and the island is decorated for Christmas with very few tourists. Malta weather in christmas is one of the most underrated times to visit — Valletta and Mdina without the crowds, at temperatures that allow comfortable outdoor dining.
Malta Sea Temperature All Year
Malta sea temperature lags behind air temperature by 6-8 weeks, shaping the actual swimming season. The sea water temperature malta is among the warmest in the Mediterranean due to the island’s southern latitude:
- January-February — 15°C — coldest, only for hardened swimmers
- March — 15°C — rising slowly, most tourists skip
- April — 17°C — chilly but some tourists brave a dip
- May — 19°C — tolerable, swimming season begins
- June — 22°C — warm enough for long swims
- July — 25°C — excellent
- August — 27°C — warmest, bath temperature
- September — 26°C — still perfect, often better than July due to lower air temps
- October — 24°C — underrated, great for extended swims, fewer people on beaches
- November — 20°C — the sea holds warmth while the air cools
- December-January — 17°C — cooling fast
The effective swimming season runs from late May to early November — nearly 6 months, one of the longest in the Mediterranean. Sea temperature in malta in October (24°C) is warmer than most UK beaches in August.
Malta Weather by Location — Valletta, Sliema, Gozo & Beyond
The malta temperature is broadly consistent across the island — it’s tiny and flat — but a few micro-climate differences are worth knowing:
Malta weather valletta: the capital sits on a peninsula surrounded by water, which means slightly higher humidity in summer and occasionally stronger sea breezes. Sliema weather malta and weather in malta sliema: similar to Valletta, exposed to the northeast winds in winter. Weather in malta st julians: essentially the same as Sliema — coastal, slightly breezy, sea-influenced.
Malta weather gozo and weather in malta gozo: Gozo sits a few degrees cooler in summer due to higher ground and more vegetation. In winter it can feel slightly damper. The weather on gozo malta is generally 1-2°C lower than the main island in summer — noticeable when it’s 37°C in Valletta and 35°C in Victoria. Malta and gozo weather are tracked separately on weather apps but are essentially the same pattern.
Weather in st paul’s bay malta and weather in malta bugibba: northern coast, slightly more exposed to the majjistral (northwest wind) in summer — actually a bonus in July-August as it cuts the heat. Weather in malta qawra: same as Bugibba. Weather in malta st julians: slightly more sheltered from north winds than Bugibba.
Malta Rainfall, Wind & Local Weather Phenomena
Malta gets 553 mm of rain a year — malta rainfall almost entirely concentrated between November and February. Summer is essentially rainless. But when rain does come, it arrives fast — the flat, unabsorbent limestone causes flash floods in late autumn and winter. Thunderstorms in September and October too.
The Sirocco (Xlokk)
The sirocco malta — locally called “Xlokk” — is a hot, dry southerly wind blowing in from the Sahara. It hits Malta a few times a year, mostly in late spring and autumn, sometimes in summer. A sirocco episode brings temperatures 5-8°C above normal, hazy orange skies, and fine Saharan dust that coats everything. Siroccos typically last 1-3 days. If you’re on the island during one, expect haze, intense heat, and a sense that the air itself is exhausted. Good day for museums and air-conditioned restaurants.
The Majjistral (Northwest Wind)
The majjistral is the prevailing northwest wind, typically 5-15 knots. It’s what keeps Malta relatively liveable in summer despite the heat — the northwest coast (Mellieħa, Golden Bay, Ramla on Gozo) gets a constant breeze that cuts the humidity. When it strengthens to 20-30 knots, Blue Lagoon boats stop running and exposed northern beaches get choppy.
Thunderstorms & Flash Floods
Storms are intense when they happen, especially September-November. Lightning over the sea can be spectacular. Flash floods hit Valletta, Msida and low-lying areas within minutes of heavy rain. If a storm is forecast, don’t drive through Malta’s narrow underpasses.
Best Time to Visit Malta — Weather Guide
Different priorities call for different months. Quick matching for best time to visit malta weather:
- Beach and nightlife — June to early September
- Best weather with fewer crowds — late May or late September
- Still swimmable without tourists — early October
- Cultural sightseeing in comfortable temperatures — April, October, November
- Hiking & cliff walks — March to May, or October
- Christmas break and quiet cultural trip — December
- Budget trips — January or February (lowest prices, mildest crowds)
- Carnival — February last week
- Avoid if heat-sensitive — mid-July through late August
What to Pack for Malta’s Climate
Summer (June-September):
- Light cotton or linen clothes, lots of t-shirts and shorts
- High-SPF sunscreen (SPF 50+) — the sun is genuinely intense
- Good sunglasses with UV protection
- A hat with a real brim
- Swimsuits, flip-flops, beach towel
- Light cardigan for over-air-conditioned restaurants and buses
- Smart-casual shoes for nightlife (clubs enforce no-flip-flops rules)
Spring / Autumn (March-May, October-November):
- Layers — t-shirt + long-sleeve + light jacket
- A proper waterproof in autumn (rain picks up in October)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Swimsuit (April and October are both potentially swimmable)
- Sunscreen — sun is weaker but still burns
Winter (December-February):
- Jumper, long trousers, warm jacket (Malta winters feel colder than the numbers suggest due to damp and wind)
- Waterproof shoes
- Compact umbrella
- Scarf — the sea wind cuts
- No serious winter gear needed; it won’t go below 8°C
For live forecasts, the Malta Airport weather service is the most accurate local source — better than BBC Weather for Malta specifically. For planning the rest of your trip around your weather window, our complete Malta holidays guide matches seasons to travel styles. For weather-dependent activities (boat trips, beach days, cliff walks), browse our Malta activities directory.
FAQ — Malta Weather & Climate
What’s the weather like in Malta?
What’s the weather like in malta: classic Mediterranean — hot dry summers (32-38°C in July-August), mild wet winters (14-17°C), over 300 days of sunshine a year, very little rain outside November-February. What is the weather like in malta overall: warm and sunny far more often than not.
What is the temperature in Malta?
What is the temperature in malta: yearly average 19°C. Malta temperature ranges from 14-15°C in winter to 32-38°C in summer. What’s the temperature in malta right now — check the Malta Airport weather service for live data.
What’s the weather like in Malta in October?
What’s the weather like in malta in october: warm (23-25°C days), sea still at 24°C, 6-7 rain days, 7 hours of sunshine daily. What is the weather like in malta in october: one of the best months — summer conditions without summer crowds. Weather in malta in october is consistently underrated.
What’s the weather like in Malta in November?
What’s the weather like in malta in november: cooling to 18-21°C days, sea still around 20°C, rain increases to 9 days per month. Mix of sunny warm days and grey wet spells. What is the weather like in malta in november: mild by northern European standards but noticeably rainier than summer.
What’s the weather like in Malta in December?
What’s the weather like in malta in december: 15-17°C days, 11 rain days, but also many clear sunny days. What is the weather like in malta in december: mild winter — nothing like a northern European December. Christmas in Malta typically involves outdoor dining in a light jacket, not a heavy coat.
What’s the weather like in Malta in January and February?
What’s the weather like in malta in january: 14-16°C days, 12 rain days, sea at 15°C. What’s the weather like in malta in february: similar, with Carnival in the last week bringing colour and crowds despite the cool weather.
What’s the weather like in Malta in March?
What’s the weather like in malta in march: 15-18°C, warming up through the month. What is the weather like in malta in march: still cool enough for jumpers in the morning, pleasant in afternoon sunshine. 8 rain days on average.
What is the weather in Malta in April?
What is the weather in malta in april: 18-20°C highs, 5 rain days, 8 hours of sunshine. Weather in malta in april: ideal for sightseeing and walking, comfortable temperatures, not yet beach season but sea is warming. Temperature in malta in april: 19°C high / 12°C low.
Does it rain in Malta?
Yes, but concentrated. About 553 mm a year — malta rainfall is 80% concentrated between November and February. Summer is essentially rainless (0-1 rain days per month in June-August).
When is the sea warmest in Malta?
August, at 27°C. The warm-sea window runs June to October. Malta sea temperature in October (24°C) is warmer than most UK beaches in their warmest month.
What is the sirocco wind in Malta?
The sirocco malta is a hot dry southerly wind blowing from the Sahara, hitting Malta several times a year. It brings temperatures 5-8°C above normal, hazy orange skies and fine dust. Usually lasts 1-3 days.
What is the weather in Malta at Christmas?
What is the weather like in malta at christmas: mild — typically 14-17°C, occasional rain, but many sunny days. Outdoor dining in a light jacket is normal. The island is much quieter than in summer and Christmas decorations go up across Valletta and all the villages.
→ Got your weather window sorted? Plan the rest of your trip with our complete Malta holidays guide
