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This is the second major contribution by the author following the first edition published in 2011. This publication is a multidecadal report on the state of Malta’s climate based on the data provided by the Meteorological Office situated at Luqa and compiled and analysed by Charles Galdies PhD on behalf of the National Statistics Office. This publication provides an accessible, authoritative and updated analysis of Malta’s climate based on the latest set of climate-quality records, with descriptions of climate conditions and extremes covering the period from 1952 till 2020. In addition, it also explores the associated fluctuations in key climate variables and indices with those observed during the periods 1961-1990 and 1991-2020 over Malta. This second edition presents a new section devoted to future climate projections for Malta as produced by a number of climate forecasting models. These models furnish information to the scientific and decision-making communities and are used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of the United Nations to issue its Assessment Reports that are published every six years., peer-reviewed

This article discusses a number of climate variables as measured over the Maltese Islands. This climatic information covers ambient air temperature, precipitation, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, thunderstorms, cloud cover, duration of bright sunshine, solar radiation and wind. The understanding of the climate norm of the Maltese Islands is essential in order to detect local trends and anomalies., Bajada New Energy Ltd., CD Power Saving Co. Ltd., Energy Investment Co. Ltd., Solar Engineering Ltd. & Solar Solutions Ltd., peer-reviewed

The aims of this work were to compare the energy performance rating of a residential building, as simulated by DesignBuilder-EnergyPlus software and the EPRDM, which is the official programme for producing energy performance certificates of Maltese residences. In order to use DesignBuilder software, it was necessary to create a weather data file for Malta, known as EPW file. Such a file has not been formally developed before., Bajada New Energy Ltd., CD Power Saving Co. Ltd., Energy Investment Co. Ltd., Solar Engineering Ltd. & Solar Solutions Ltd., N/A

The Maltese archipelago, occupying an area of c.316 km 2 and situated in the central Mediterranean, consists of the inhabited islands of Malta and Gozo and a number of uninhabited islets and rocks. The islands are composed mainly of limestone of Oligo-Miocene age. Soils are young, show little horizon development, and are very similar to the parent rocks. There are no mountains, streams or lakes, but only minor springs. The main geomorphological features are karstic limestone plateaux, hillsides covered with clay taluses, and gently rolling limestone plains. The southwest coast is mainly steep sea-cliffs and the land tilts gently seawards to the northeast. The islands are riven by valleys which drain runoff during the wet season. The average annual rainfall is c . 530 mm of which some 85% falls during the period October to March. The mean monthly temperature range is 12-26°C. The islands are very windy and sunny. Natural water resources depend on percolating rainwater which collects in limestone aquifers. The flora and fauna are rich with c. 2,000 species of plants and more than 3,000 species of animals recorded to date; a relatively large number of species are endemic. The main ecosystems are maquis, garrigue and steppe. Minor ones include patches of woodland, coastal wetlands, sand dunes, freshwater and rupestral communities and those of caves. Human impact is significant. The resident population density is 1,140 per km2. Some 38% of the land area is cultivated and c.16% is built up. Environmental problems include accelerated soil erosion, quarrying, disposal of waste, high levels of chlorides and nitrates in the water supply, and loss of habitats and wildlife. The most important environmental issue at present is the rational use of land, a problem which is only now being tackled by the Maltese Government., peer-reviewed

The Maltese archipelago, occupying an area of c.316 km2 and situated in the central Mediterranean, consists of the inhabited islands of Malta and Gozo and a number of uninhabited islets and rocks. The islands are composed mainly of limestones of Oligo-Miocene age. Soils are young, show little horizon development, and are very similar to the parent rocks. There are no mountains, streams or lakes, but only minor springs. The main geomorphological features are karstic limestone plateaux, hillsides covered with clay taluses and gently rolling limestone plains. The southwest coast is mainly steep sea-cliffs and the land tilts gently seawards to the northeast. The islands are riven by valleys which drain runoff during the wet season. The average annual rainfall is c.530mm of which 85% falls during the period October to March. The mean monthly temperature range is 12-26oC. The flora and fauna are rich with c.2000 species of plants and more than 3000 species of animals recorded to date; a relatively large number of species are endemic. The main ecosystems are maquis, garigue and steppe. Minor ones include patches of woodland, coastal wetlands, sand dunes, freshwater and rupestral communities and those of caves. Human impact is significant. The islands have been inhabited since c.7000BP. The current resident population density is 1095 per km2. Some 38% of the land area is cultivated and c.15% is built up., N/A

The authors examine a report written in 1885 which pertains to the Maltese islands. This report contains a comprehensive analysis of the islands- their climate, their geographical nature, languages and other unique attributes that the Maltese enjoy., N/A