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Maltas July 2024: Among the Hottest and Driest on Record Amidst Global Climate Extremes
August 15 2024 07:56 by PCLMedia
July 2024 in Malta has been marked by significantly warmer and drier conditions than usual, reflecting a troubling global trend of extreme weather linked to the escalating climate crisis. According to Malta's Meteorological Office, the average temperature for the month reached 28.5°C, a striking 1.6°C above the long-term average. This deviation is consistent with the increasing frequency of extreme weather events worldwide.
The highest temperature recorded in Malta during July was 37.9°C on the 21st, though no official heatwaves were noted, in contrast to the record-setting July of 2023. Despite the absence of heatwaves, the continuous high temperatures and minimal rainfall have exacerbated the island's already significant rainfall deficit, leaving agricultural lands severely parched.
Globally, the data from Malta aligns with a broader pattern of extreme weather. Climate historian Maximiliano Herrera has documented that 2024 has already witnessed the breaking of 15 national temperature records and 130 monthly national temperature records. “This amount of extreme heat events is beyond anything ever seen or even thought possible before,” Herrera shared with The Guardian, highlighting the unprecedented nature of these climate shifts.
The scope of these extreme temperatures is vast. For instance, Mexico matched its record high of 52°C in Tepache on 20 June, while Egypt saw a new national record of 50.9°C in Aswan on 7 June. These staggering figures underline the widespread and diverse impacts of climate change, with countries across various continents experiencing unprecedented heat.
In Malta, the effects of rising temperatures are also evident in the surrounding seas. The sea surface temperature in July 2024 was recorded at 26.9°C, nearly 2°C above the average. This rise in sea temperature is particularly alarming as it could disrupt marine ecosystems and further alter local weather patterns, potentially leading to more extreme weather events.
The European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service has also underscored the severity of the situation. June 2024 marked the 13th consecutive month of record-setting global temperatures, with the average temperature being 1.5°C above the pre-industrial level. This persistent global warming trend is resulting in more frequent and intense heatwaves, extreme rainfall events, and prolonged droughts, highlighting the ongoing and escalating nature of the climate crisis.
As Malta approaches the Santa Maria public holiday on 15 August, with temperatures forecasted to reach 35°C, the Met Office has issued warnings for the public to take necessary precautions against the heat. This local forecast is part of a broader pattern of extreme heat affecting regions across the globe.
Carlo Buontempo, the director of Copernicus, has emphasized the inevitability of new temperature records being set as long as greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. “Even if this specific streak of extremes ends at some point, we are bound to see new records being broken as the climate continues to warm. This is inevitable unless we stop adding greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and the oceans,” Buontempo warned.
The situation in Malta, mirrored by global events, serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to address the climate crisis. The ongoing rise in temperatures and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events underscore the critical importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the worst effects of climate change.
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