Malta is the southernmost country in the European Union, and located centrally in the Mediterranean, just 90 km south of Sicily. The climate is subtropical and offers a mild winters and hot summers. But how is it to actually live in such a country, and how do you cope with the heat in summer and the cold winters?
Hot and dry summer
The summers in Malta can get very hot, often with temperatures over 30° C, especially in August and September. It is very unlikely that it rains between the months of May and September. Because of this, the island dries out in this time. Generally, the plants and grass look a little bit dead. Because of the high UV index, it is recommended to use good sun protection, as people who are not used to the scorching sun, may get burnt very quickly. It is also important not to underestimate the dehydration in the heat, and to drink plenty of water. Most offices, buses and shops use air conditioning, making it much more bearable to be inside rather than outside. On the upside, the predictability of the weather makes planning outside activities very easy. Many people enjoy barbecues by the sea, or a day out in the sun without having to fear that it might rain.
Cold and wet winters
The rainy season is between the months of September and April. However this does not mean that it rains very often. It is more likely that there are aggressive thunderstorms unloading heavy rainfall lasting usually between 30 min and 2 hours. Most of them also occur during the night. In the days it is normally very sunny and the temperatures can be very pleasant, sometimes even up to 20° C in December. The cold months are generally between February and March, where temperatures can drop down to 8° C. The flats usually do not have central heating, which creates a generally colder atmosphere indoors. You can heat your place with halogen heaters, gas heaters, electric radiators, or the heating setting of the air conditioning, which is usually the most expensive choice. However, it is generally quite bearable in winter, and it is only cold for a few weeks. The upside is, that the nature of the islands literally awakens. One of the best outside activities in winter is to go hiking in the stunning and green nature of Malta, for it is usually little bit too hot to go hiking in summer.
My two favourite seasons are spring and autumn. In this time it is neither too hot, nor too cold, and the island is usually quite green. In this time you can normally choose to do any activity you like without being very restricted by the weather conditions or temperatures.
