Malta enjoys one of the sunniest Mediterranean climates in Europe, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Here you will find the live weather for the main towns, month-by-month average temperatures, the sea temperature and the best time to visit.
Current temperature and 7-day forecast, updated every 30 minutes. · last reading at 05:50 (Malta time)
In Malta, some days are both rainy and sunny (a shower in the morning, sunshine in the afternoon): that is why the days of sunshine and the days of rain overlap and do not add up.
The annual average is around 19.5 °C. The warmest months are July and August (31 to 32 °C in the afternoon), the coolest January and February (about 13 °C on average). Rain is concentrated from October to February, while summer stays almost completely dry.
| Month | Avg. temp. (°C) | Avg. high (°C) | Avg. low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) | Sunshine (h/d) | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12,9° | 15,7° | 10° | 79,4 | 5,4 | 13 |
| February | 12,6° | 15,7° | 9,6° | 68,9 | 6,6 | 11 |
| March | 14,1° | 17,4° | 10,9° | 39,7 | 7,2 | 9 |
| April | 16,4° | 20,1° | 12,7° | 18,7 | 8,4 | 6 |
| May | 20° | 24,3° | 15,8° | 11 | 9,9 | 3 |
| June | 24,2° | 28,8° | 19,6° | 7,3 | 11,2 | 1 |
| July | 26,9° | 31,7° | 22,1° | 0,2 | 11,9 | 0 |
| August | 27,5° | 32° | 23° | 11,2 | 10,9 | 2 |
| September | 24,9° | 28,6° | 21,2° | 59,2 | 8,4 | 5 |
| October | 21,7° | 25° | 18,4° | 77,6 | 7 | 9 |
| November | 17,9° | 20,8° | 15° | 89,1 | 6,1 | 12 |
| December | 14,5° | 17,1° | 11,8° | 84,8 | 5,3 | 13 |
Source: NSO Malta, climate normals 1991-2020 (Malta International Airport MetOffice).
The sea is pleasant for swimming from June to October, peaking at around 26 °C in August. It stays above 20 °C until November, then falls towards 15 °C in late winter (February-March), its lowest point.
Malta enjoys a Mediterranean climate marked by very hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The average annual temperature is around 19.5 °C (1991-2020 normal), one of the highest in Europe. In summer, a hot, dry wind from the Sahara, the Sirocco, can push the thermometer beyond 35 °C within a few days.
Summers (June-August) are dry and sunny: almost no rain falls in July (0.2 mm on average). Winters (November-March) stay mild, with temperatures rarely dropping below 10 °C, but they bring the bulk of the rainfall, sometimes in the form of intense downpours. Snow is exceptional: the last notable fall dates back to 31 January 1962.
The sea acts as a thermal regulator: the archipelago enjoys nearly 3,000 hours of sunshine per year and around 300 sunny days. A sign of warming, the average air temperature has risen by about 1.5 °C since 1952 (+0.2 °C per decade) and that of the sea by 1.9 °C since 1978.
The best time to visit Malta depends on what you’re looking for. The high season runs from mid-June to September, when the weather is hot and Malta’s beaches are at their finest. To avoid the crowds and the heat, spring and autumn offer the best balance, while winter remains the most budget-friendly time to go.
Hot, dry and lively: perfect for swimming, water sports and open-air concerts. July is the hottest month: the heat is dry and it’s wise to stay close to the sea in the middle of the day (and to check that your accommodation has air conditioning, or the nights can be rough). August is the most popular and sunniest month, with daytime highs above 30 °C and a sea at 25-26 °C; rain is a rarity then, apart from the odd heat storm or two. The trade-off is that this is the most expensive time of year: tourist numbers and hotel prices are at their peak. SPF 50+ sunscreen, plenty of water and accommodation booked several months ahead are the order of the day.
The most pleasant seasons to visit the island: mild temperatures (20-25 °C) and fewer crowds. In spring, the archipelago turns green and bursts into flower from April, and May marks the start of the water-sports season as the Mediterranean climbs back above 18 °C; watch out for the sun, though, as the sea breeze masks its intensity. In autumn, September and October rank among the best months: the crowds thin out as the European school holidays end, and the sea is still warm (23 °C in October). This is also the best value for money, with hotel rates far gentler than in summer. It’s the ideal time for hiking, cultural sightseeing, exploring Valletta and the fortified cities, and taking a trip to the island of Gozo, greener and wilder, perfect for trekking in spring.
Mild compared with the rest of Europe, but wetter and windier. The rainy season sets in from the second half of November: a sunny morning can give way to an afternoon storm, and December’s heavy downpours sometimes throw the island into chaos. January is the coldest and windiest month (12 to 16 °C during the day, feeling cooler because of the humidity), while February is the cheapest month to travel: near enough January’s twin, only slightly milder, it’s when hotel prices are at their lowest and good deals abound. This is the low season, perfect for visiting cultural sites in peace and on a budget, or setting off to hike on Gozo. Swimming is still possible for the hardier among us: some locals swim all year round in a sea that never drops below 15 °C.
June is without doubt the month to favour for a trip to Malta. The sun settles in fully during the day (you’ll already want to protect yourself well from UV rays) while the nights stay mild and comfortable. Sightseers can enjoy every cultural site with ease, and at the same time all the water activities are up and running (diving, water sports, jet-skiing and more). It’s a month that suits young and old alike and every kind of traveller. In June, the summer season begins with the arrival of the Sirocco, which within a few days pushes temperatures up and marks the start of the high season. The Mediterranean climbs past 20 degrees, and the tourist season is officially under way in Malta.
Malta has a Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The average annual temperature is around 19.5 °C and the archipelago enjoys nearly 3,000 hours of sunshine per year.
The warmest months are July and August, with average highs of 31 to 32 °C and peaks that can exceed 40 °C during Sirocco episodes.
The sea is pleasant from May to October, peaking at around 26 °C in August. In winter it falls to around 15 °C but stays swimmable for those who don’t mind the chill.
For swimming, the high season from mid-June to September is ideal. For a mild climate without the crowds, go for spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October).
No, snow is exceptional in Malta. The last notable fall dates back to 31 January 1962, with just two centimetres for a few hours.
Malta records on average about 84 rainy days per year (1991-2020 normal), concentrated from October to February. The summer months are almost completely dry.
