Gozo’s Emergency Services Warn Swimmers As Strong Winds Set To Persist For The Next 24 Hours
Strong winds caused mayhem all around Malta’s beaches late last night and early this morning, but with powerful gusts set to barrage the islands for a while longer, a warning for swimmers has been issued by the Emergency Response and Rescue Corps.
As if you needed another reason to stay away from the sea today, the Water Rescue section within the Gozitan-based voluntary rescue corps has warned of rough conditions at a number of swimmings areas around the sister islands.
Strong Northeasterly winds which are currently hovering at Force 5 and 6 but might even go up to Force 7 later today (and potentially even tomorrow) will mostly affect bays like Marsalforn, Ramla l-Ħamra, Ħondoq ir-Rummien and other Gozitan bays including Daħlet Qorrot and San Blas. At Font Għadir, a lifeguard’s tower was totally destroyed by the extreme force this morning, and it doesn’t seem like this wind is going anywhere any time soon.
Even Comino’s Santa Marija is set to feel the brunt of the strong winds, and Malta’s northern bays don’t seem all too safe; just this morning, chaos ensued in Xemxija as some boats crashed into the promenade.
As it currently stands, the weather forecast shows both today and tomorrow as having very strong winds of Force 5, 6 and even 7.
The days’ highs and apparent temperatures will actually be the same for the first time in forever, with the highest temperatures barely making it to 25°C. As for the evening, the islands will be experiencing temperatures as fresh as 19°C.
This midweek’s UV Index will be falling to 6, which means it’s neither swimming nor sunbathing time for now.
A weather warning issued by the Malta International Airport on the strong winds is currently valid up to 10pm tonight, but we’ll be updating you accordingly.