There are many tourists on the island enjoying the summer in Malta. Who wouldn’t if they had 12 hours of sunlight and temperatures above 30° every day? But even in Malta the weather can be bad every now and then. I am not talking about the sudden thunderstorms that flood the streets, but the sandstorms that can cover the whole country in a misty veil.
Sandstorms in Malta? Yes, they really do exist, even though there is no desert in Malta. The explanation is obvious. Dusty sand clouds from Libya are carried over the Mediterranean all the way to Malta. The distance from the country in North Africa to Malta is about 370 km, and the fine grains of sand are carried by the wind. These sandstorms are not even uncommon in Sicily.
However a sandstorm in Malta is not like a sandstorm in the desert. Even though the visibility is bad, you can still leave the house without any problems. Even if there are strong winds, you will barely feel the sand grains. Where you can see it is on the roads and especially on the cars that the weather is going crazy. You will notice a thin layer of sand on every car roof and to the dismay of the people, the sand even finds its way into the flats and covers all the surfaces with a fine layer of sand dust.
The storms usually last for a couple of days. Then the big cleaning can begin. The island will not be covered in the mist-like veil anymore, and you can go to the beach once again and enjoy the Mediterranean Sea.
Let me give you a little piece of advice: if you experience a sandstorm during your holiday in Malta, you can use the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the culture of Malta. Visiting Valletta and enjoying the view of the Three Cities is definitely worth it. Also, visiting the island of Gozo is also a must during your visit to Malta.
