Malta wakes up to thunderstorms, hail, and flooded streets

The Maltese islands woke up to thunderstorms and heavy rain on Saturday morning, with numerous lightning strikes reported across the country.

Hail was also reported in a number of localities, including Żebbuġ, Birgu, Bormla, Ħamrun, and Dingli.

Isolated thunderstorms had been forecast between 4am and 7am, with further showers possible until around 10am.

Apart from hail, thunder, and lightning, Saturday morning’s storms also brought the familiar sight of flooded streets across Malta.

Roads in Qormi flooded on Saturday

In Buġibba Square, rainwater rushed through the streets, carrying rubbish into the sea.

Meanwhile, heavy flooding was also reported in Msida, another locality frequently affected by flooding during heavy rainfall.

Conditions are expected to improve as the day progresses, with dark grey clouds gradually giving way to sunshine. However, further isolated showers remain possible during the evening.

Temperatures are forecast to reach a high of around 25°C, while north-westerly winds are expected to strengthen during the afternoon and evening.

Sunday is expected to bring improved conditions, with mostly sunny skies and temperatures reaching around 26°C.

Storms across the central Mediterranean

The storms affecting Malta appear to be part of the same weather system affecting Sicily, as colder air moves eastwards across the central Mediterranean from the northwest.

At the same time, warmer, humid winds from North Africa are travelling northwards across the Mediterranean, picking up moisture along the way.

When these contrasting air masses meet, they create conditions favourable for thunderstorms, heavy rain, and hail.

Western Sicily was struck by a powerful tornado on Friday, just a day before thunderstorms hit Malta.

Strong winds overturned vehicles, uprooted trees and damaged buildings. A school in Marsala was seriously damaged, forcing the evacuation of around 300 students, eight of whom reportedly suffered minor injuries.

An orange weather warning was also issued in Sicily due to the risk of further thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail.