(Commonwealth_Europe) After a stretch of scorching sunshine and cloudless skies, parts of Malta were taken by surprise on Saturday afternoon when the heavens suddenly opened, drenching towns and countryside alike with heavy rain and even hail. It was one of those moments where the air shifts just enough for you to sense something’s coming, and then, without much warning, it arrives.
Many Maltese recognize this sudden burst of summer rain for what it is: the għarajjex ta’ Santa Marija. It’s a bit of a tradition at this point, almost like nature’s way of reminding everyone that even in the height of summer, the weather can still change its mind.
The timing couldn’t have been more familiar. Mid-August in Malta means Santa Marija, the feast, the fireworks, the processions, and, for many, the perfect excuse for a day at the beach or a short escape to Gozo. But as it often does around this time of year, the weather had other plans. Just when people were laying out their beach towels or settling in for a family barbecue, the skies darkened, the wind picked up, and rain came pouring down in a heavy, fast-moving shower that cooled everything in its path.
Earlier in the week, the Met Office had given a heads-up. A spokesperson said showers were expected over the weekend and that rain is common around Santa Marija. Locals have even coined a phrase for these sudden August showers, treating them almost like an annual guest who always shows up uninvited but is somehow still welcome.
There’s some real science behind it, too. After weeks and weeks of intense heat, the ground becomes a storehouse of warmth. Eventually, that heat begins to rise into the air. And as it does, it cools, forming those big, towering clouds we sometimes see hanging above in the August sky, beautiful but unpredictable. When those clouds build up enough, they can release a sudden downpour, sometimes heavy enough to soak you to the skin in seconds.
Still, Saturday’s rainfall didn’t mean summer had packed up and left. The day still reached a warm 31°C, cooling only slightly to 22°C by night. Sunday was expected to be even warmer, with highs of 32°C and a low of 24°C, though more isolated showers were also in the cards.
It’s worth remembering that last year was a different story altogether. The days around Santa Marija in 2024 were extremely dry, with highs hovering between 35°C and 37°C. Rain didn’t come until the 17th and 18th, and even then, it was just a drizzle. That’s the thing with Maltese summers. They might be hot and predictable most of the time, but now and then, they throw in a curveball.
On average, August temperatures in Malta hover around 27.5°C, with maximums usually topping out at 32°C and minimums around 23°C. So, this weekend’s weather isn’t exactly out of the ordinary, even if it did catch people off guard in the moment.
The Met Office has advised the public to monitor updates, particularly if they have outdoor plans. Even during the peak of summer in Malta, a sunny morning can quickly turn into an unexpected downpour, and perhaps that’s part of its allure.
