Found yourself with teeth chattering, reaching for the thicker socks this morning? The weather feels chillier than normal and it’s certainly not just in your head.

Though we usually blame Malta’s humid climate for the cold (and hot) weather, this time it’s an ‘extensive anti-cyclone’ that is to blame, which has formed over the United Kingdom.

According to It-Temp Madwarna, a local weather page, this meteorological phenomenon is pushing cold nordic currents towards the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, resulting in lower air pressure around the Maltese Islands.

The month of January is coming to a bitingly cold close, but the weather is forecast to, in general, be clear and sunny. That being said, we are expecting some isolated showers, which are likely to strike between today and tomorrow, as well as this weekend.

It-Temp Madwarna also noted that winds are expected to reach a maximum of force five, although they may increase throughout the week.