Malta is heading into the hottest part of the week, with temperatures set to climb to 37°C on Thursday and remain in the mid-30s through the weekend. Humidity will make conditions feel considerably hotter, with Thursday expected to reach a feels-like temperature of 42°C.

Friday and Saturday are forecast to reach 36°C, with both days feeling closer to 41°C, while Sunday will bring another feels-like temperature of 42°C despite a slightly lower actual high of 36°C.

Nights will offer little relief, with minimum temperatures remaining between 26°C and 27°C. The UV index is also staying at 9, making prolonged exposure to the sun particularly intense.

The unusual spell is being driven by an omega block over Europe, a slow-moving weather pattern named for its resemblance to the Greek letter Ω on weather maps. It is helping push an African anticyclone northwards from southern Tunisia and into the Mediterranean, bringing Malta several days of dry, still and very hot weather. No rain or strong winds are expected, with winds remaining below Force 4.

Despite the high temperatures, the current conditions do not officially qualify as a heatwave. Malta’s classification requires the maximum temperature to exceed the August mean of 32°C by at least 5°C for three consecutive days. The current forecast falls just short of that threshold, although this could change as forecasts are updated.

For context, the highest temperature recorded in Malta so far this summer was 43.3°C on 18 July.

With feels-like temperatures exceeding 40°C on several days, the usual precautions are particularly important. Keep water close at hand, limit time outdoors during the hottest part of the day and take the UV index seriously, even when spending only a short time outside. Forecasts can change, so check the Malta Airport Met Office for the latest updates throughout the week.