How to explain Feb/March weather?

Myrkur Contributor

176POSTS

13 years ago

I think the weather is also being discussed a little in another topic but decided to open a new one anyway! ("5 good reasons to live in malta")

So a friend of mine would like to come to Malta around Feb/March but I am struggling to properly describe the weather to her during those months.

Coming from a cold country she imagines that +15C is the perfect temperature to go swimming? I guess it's always better than -15

(but no she is not into winter swimming or anything of that sort!) It could be me but I wouldn't describe those months as warm..and I don't think people generally go swimming do they? I always start in June the earliest myself..

Most of you seem to either come from a cold country or have some experience of cold weather, so what would you tell a friend who has this expectation of a "hot" climate and would probably like to go swimming? As she really wanted to come and now she said I scared her with my weather prognosis

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maltamark Member

13POSTS

13 years ago

Privet, don't worry it's 17 outside, 17 inside, 80% humidity. Almost perfect.

matm911 Serial expat

656POSTS

13 years ago

I think the "weather" is a very subjective matter.
Even now beginning of January lots of people complain about the "cold and humid weather especially in the night" ... during the day I'm still wearing T-Shirts and in the evening I put on a sweat shirt. A jacket I only use when riding my scooter.

It's still about 12-14 degrees during the night, and outside it feels warmer than inside. So if it's getting colder in February and beginning of March, I think I can live with that

In Austria we had maybe -20 or -25掳C for a week or two in winter, but most of the time the temperature was between
+5 and -5掳C ... with lots of rain or wet snow - THAT feels cold because sometimes you cannot see the sun for 2 weeks or longer because of the grey sky

Therefore most houses have central heating and insulation ... and I had to pay around 1800,- Euros every year for gas only

- with this money it's more than possible to warm the house/flat here in Malta

Markus

Myrkur Contributor

176POSTS

13 years ago

Yeah hmm,

but Markus even though you are wearing t-shirts during the day - you don't go swimming right?

ricky ViP

3522POSTS

13 years ago

Hi Myrkur,

several of my friends (Expats and Maltese) still go swimming nearly every day but most do not swim in the open sea unless you have a sandy beach without rocks.

Here in Sliema you can use the sea water pool opposite the Preluna hotel.

The main problem in the sea are the waves ,currents and jellyfish. Yes, there are still many around. The waves make it very difficult to get out of the water as most ladders have been removed for the winter. Swimming at Golden Bay depends on waves and there can also be very strong under-currents!

The water itself is still about 17 掳 but will keep on cooling down to 16掳 or 15 掳 depending on the coming winter weather.

So far the winter has been very dry. It it stays dry Malta will have a water problem in the summer.

So Feb./March is not really the right time to come for a holiday with swimming in the open sea. The chances are that there will be rain and much colder temperatures.

But with the weather who really knows (except my frog and he is not telling me-)))

Cheers
Ricky

Myrkur Contributor

176POSTS

13 years ago

Thanks Ricky! Very helpful as always

georgeingozo ViP

3703POSTS

13 years ago

ricky wrote:
So far the winter has been very dry. It it stays dry Malta will have a water problem in the summer.

rainfall is typically 40-60cm a year, practically all between Sept and March - so far this winter (from Sept) its been 30cm, so not low

tomina Member

22POSTS

13 years ago

So far this year it has been beautiful with the sun still shining then it is up to one if she feels like taking the plunge and true some may be in t-shirts but still one needs a cardigan!

for instance today it was gloomy

Gnejna bay is a nice bay to swim and not so rough! being from these areas rivieria martinique is nice but again the waves can be dangerous and the glorious views and tranquility when not so packed with swimmers as in summer and the good excercise going up and down the stairs! over 100 i guess never counted them!!! phew LOL

enjoy your vacation tell her:)

matm911 Serial expat

656POSTS

13 years ago

Myrkur wrote:
Yeah hmm,
but Markus even though you are wearing t-shirts during the day - you don't go swimming right?

no, the sea has now about 15 or 16掳C.
Last time for me was on 25th November ... now I prefer the heated indoor pool at my fitness center.

But almost every day - even today - I can see divers, wind-surfer and kite-surfers. I think with a neopren suit it's still bearable.

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