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Will It? Won’t It? Santa Marija Week Brings Summer Thunderstorm Rumours, And Here’s What We Know

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Featured Image Original Photo by Kelly Busuttil

Thunderstorms might sound like a very unexpected and unwelcome appearance during summer, but that’s definitely not the case if you’re talking about mid-August in Malta.

The week of 15th August traditionally hosts what has become known as L-Għerejjex ta’ Santa Marija. Literally translated (and annually punctual), the tradition tells of a very short period of unseasonably cold or wet weather during Malta’s brutal August heat that coincides with one of the most popular public holidays on the island. And it seems like this year might be no exception.

This week’s weather forecast still holds characteristically high temperatures across the rest of the week, but you might’ve also noticed that some days have already started getting cloudy and relatively fresh.

While we’re looking at highs of 33°C today (which will feel more like 38°C, heaven help us), the rest of the week’s highs will only just about exceed the 30s. And even though the apparent temperatures will help push those digits into the mid 30s, some Force 4 winds should provide some respite in the evening.

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Original Photo by danniellelily

But while there are no downright signs of rain or thunderstorms on most weather forecasts, others are gearing up for at least one wet and lightning-filled day this week.

“An isolated thunderstorm may affect the Maltese Islands between this evening and tomorrow morning,” reliable forecaster Gozo Weather Page told Facebook followers on Monday morning.

Facebook forecasting page It-Temp Madwarna also echoed this prediction, explaining that a patch of cold air will be entering the Mediterranean from the Atlantic Ocean. Even though most of the unstable weather would be hitting Italy and Tunisia, Malta might still get some isolated thunderstorms over mid-August… particularly on Santa Marija itself.

In fact, according to Gozo Weather Page, the clouds that have been crossing over the Maltese Islands lately (which have only increased over today) are all remnants of thunderstorms over Tunisia.

Of course, while some people would love for rain to break the hot monotony of Malta’s summer, concerns were also raised about the numerous villages around the islands that go out of their way every year to celebrate Santa Marija in style over the week.

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Organisers of various village feasts around Malta have already been advised by certain forecast pages to take necessary precautions

Even though the bulk of bad weather expected to hit seems to be restricted to out at sea, Gozo Weather Page said “it would be wise to expect at least one isolate thunderstorm”, particularly late tonight and early tomorrow morning. “It is important to appreciate that, at this time of the year, such showers are very fickle and could easily miss the Maltese Islands by just a few kilometres,” the page’s latest post continued.

However, that did not stop the Facebook forecasters from advising the Santa Marija feast organisers of Victoria, Qrendi, Mqabba, Mosta, Gudja, Ħal-Għaxaq and Attard from “taking all the necessary precautions and staying up-to-date with the latest information”.

As far as the rest of the week goes, the lowest temperatures will also dip slightly, levelling at a relatively pleasant 24°C. Pair that with varying levels of cloudy days all the way to Saturday, and you’re looking at a not-so-brutal mid-August (especially considering we had prolonged periods of 40°C this time last year).

By the time the weekend arrives, temperatures might feel like they’re going back to I-can’t-believe-I-have-to-stand-this-shit levels all over again. Even though the highs will still gravitate between 32°C and 33°C, varying factors like mild winds and high UV indexes will result in those temperatures feeling more like 37°C by the end of the week.

However, already looking ahead to next week’s weather, some weather forecasters have gone on record to say that today week should be seeing us into some fresher temperatures. And if that’s the case, then please, bring it on.

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Original Photo by Tony Farrugia

Tag someone who can’t wait for fresher days to come to Malta!

READ NEXT: Malta’s Popular Santa Marija Holiday Is Coming, And Here’s How You Can Celebrate Properly

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Lovin Malta's Head of Content, Dave has been in journalism for the better half of the last decade. Prefers Instagram, but has been known to doomscroll on TikTok. Loves chicken, women's clothes and Kanye West (most of the time).

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