This short, sweet return of warm weather usually arrives in November, bringing calm seas, blue skies and a touch of summer before winter fully sets in. This time, the warm spell is being driven by a high-pressure system drifting in from the Atlantic and settling over the central Mediterranean, briefly closing the door on autumn’s usual gusty winds and grey skies.

Locals know this weather quirk well. Is-Sajf ta’ San Martin is named after Saint Martin, whose feast day falls in mid-November. Traditionally, Maltese families celebrate it with village fairs, sweet breads and the traditional cloth bag filled with nuts and fruit given to children. Its early appearance this year, at the end of October, is a little unusual but very welcome.

According to the Meteorological Office, the thermometer is expected to reach 29°C by Sunday, around four degrees above average for this time of year. The shift will be gradual, with a blustery north-westerly breeze easing off by the weekend and turning into a gentle south-westerly flow. If you’re visiting, Sunday looks perfect for a swim, a coastal walk or a lazy lunch by the sea.

Don’t get too attached to the beach weather, though, this mini-summer won’t last long. By Monday, winds are forecast to swing back to the northwest and strengthen again, sending temperatures down to around 22°C by Tuesday.

Despite a few showers last weekend, October’s rainfall is still below average. The Meteorological Office recorded 71 mm so far this month, just shy of the usual 77.8 mm. The islands are still catching up after a particularly dry September, when only 7.4 mm of rain fell, more than 50 mm below normal.

September also ran a little warmer than usual, with an average temperature of 25.6°C and plenty of sunshine, clocking up more than nine hours of daylight per day.

If you’re planning your weekend, expect sunshine, gentle breezes and that unmistakable golden glow that makes Malta’s autumn days so beautiful.

For the most accurate daily updates, check the official forecast here!