Malta is well-known for its hot summers and mild winters, a picturesque Mediterranean climate where severe weather conditions is extremely uncommon. However, as Maltese people know, the weather can change extremely fast, with sudden storms or heatwaves shattering the calm. In recent years, due to climate change, such extreme weather conditions which were once considered a "once-in-a-lifetime" event are becoming more frequent. 

From the howling winds of Storm Harry to deadly flash floods and record-smashing heatwaves, this article takes a comprehensive look at Malta's most extreme weather events, and how they have impacted daily life, local communities, and small businesses across the islands.

1. Storm Harry – 2026 

In January 2026, Malta was hit with Storm Harry, reminding us of mother nature's power. Whilst Malta is still battling Storm Harry, this powerful storm has already torn down dozens of trees, caused fires, and even caused damage to local infrastructure and shop fronts. Easterly gales battered Malta with strong gusts of wind. The Meteorological Office recorded wind speeds up to 103km/h (Force 10) at Storm Harry's peak. A red alert for gale-force winds was issued, and many services have been shut down: postal deliveries, waste collection, and even some flights have been affected.  

The storm's impact on daily life has been immediate. Residents have woken up to shaking doors and windows, debris littering the streets, and a lot of damage to infrastructure in residential areas. Authorities urged everyone to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary, as large waves pounded the coast and made shorelines dangerous. The Civil Protection Department (CPD) had a busy night, fielding 42 reports of fallen trees blocking roads and clearing debris from dozens of incidents. CPD even responded to downed billboards, local fires, and people trapped in elevators amid the power outages. 

Local businesses and operations have felt the brunt of Storm Harry too. Schools in the north of Malta have closed for the day, Gozo Ferry has temporarily stopped its ferries during Storm Harry, buses have been rerouted, and even Malta Post has suspended mail delivery for the day. Storm Harry may be passing but its aftermath has interrupted day-to-day life, showing how even a brief storm can disrupt daily life in Malta.

2. The "Fish Rain" Storm – 2019 

One of the most surreal weather events in Malta's recent memory occurred in February 2019, when a devastating force 10 storm hit the Maltese islands. This storm brought a bit of everything: hurricane-force winds, thunderstorms, hail, and even waterspouts. Wind gusts hit 100+ km/h (Maltese weather stations measured about 101 km/h, the strongest in Malta since 1982). The 2019 storm's legacy, however, is the almost biblical scene it created in Xemxija: hundreds of fish literally raining from the sky. Along St. Paul's Bay, the massive waves struck offshore fish farms and hurled sea bream (awrat) out of their pens, depositing them onto the flooded streets of Xemxija. 

Beyond that fishy anecdote, the damage across Malta was extensive. Many seafront businesses were wrecked: a kiosk in St. Paul's Bay had its refrigerators overturned and wine bottles seen bobbing in the floodwaters. In St. Julian's, a well-known restaurant collapsed entirely as gale-force winds and waves undermined its structure, leading to a total rebuild. Importantly, no one lost their life in this 2019 storm. The CPD responded to over 300 calls in a single day, but only minor injuries were reported.

3. Malta's Worst Storm & Flood – 1979 

Malta's most catastrophic weather event struck on the 25th of October 1979, when a monsoon-like deluge turned roads into rivers and wreaked havoc across the Maltese archipelago. In a matter of hours, over 100mm of rain fell on the low-lying areas. This was an unprecedented downpour that overwhelmed valleys and drainage. The late-afternoon storm caught many people during the commute home. By nightfall, flash floods coursed through towns like Birkirkara, Qormi and Msida with terrifying force. Witnesses recall vehicles being swept away "like cardboard boxes" in the torrents. Tragically, the 1979 flood claimed four lives, making it Malta's deadliest weather disaster on record. Sadly, this tragic storm resulted in over 1,000 farm animals perishing in flooded farms. 

The destruction to infrastructure was immense. Streets and bridges collapsed under the water's force. Many homes and businesses were submerged, with ground floors filled to the ceiling in districts like Msida and St. Paul's Bay. Some families had to climb onto rooftops or be rescued by army dinghies and helicopters. The economic toll was severe. Homes, shops and small businesses suffered heavy damage. Later estimates noted entire store inventories ruined, and structural repairs needed across town centres.

4. Malta's Hottest Day Ever Recorded

Not all extreme weather in Malta comes from storms; extreme heat has also tested the islands. The Maltese archipelago's hottest days on record have steadily inched upward, in line with global warming trends. The all-time highest temperature ever officially recorded in Malta is 43.8°C, registered in August 1999. On that blistering summer day, the air was so still and scorching that asphalt softened on the roads and many sought refuge in the sea or air-conditioned malls. Since then, Malta has had similarly extreme heat on multiple occasions. For example, a heatwave in July 2023 (pushed temperatures to 42.7 °C, almost equalling Malta's highest July temperature on record (first set in 1988).

Many small businesses had to cope with outages of electrical services in the middle of peak tourist season, and supermarkets scrambled to keep generators running to save refrigerated goods. Heatwaves in Malta are not just uncomfortable, they can be dangerous. In recent summers, nighttime lows have sometimes stayed above 30 °C, offering little relief, especially to the elderly or those without air conditioning. Health authorities have noted an uptick in heat-related illnesses during prolonged heatwaves, with more people reporting heat exhaustion or dehydration.

Impact on Daily Life and Small Businesses

Extreme weather events in Malta have an outsized impact on the islands' daily life and economy. Particularly, on small businesses, which form the backbone of the local community. When storms or heatwaves strike, businesses often bear heavy costs from damage, lost trade, and recovery downtime. For example, during Storm Harry, many supermarkets and cafes remained closed as employees couldn't safely commute and customers stayed home. 

Malta's extreme storms in the last decade highlighted other vulnerabilities for businesses. The storm in February 2019 that rained fish also knocked out power across large areas, leaving supermarkets, groceries, and pharmacies scrambling to save perishables and medicines. Some cafés famously offered free coffee to police and CPD workers that day.

Heatwaves, too, carry a cost. During extreme heat, people tend to stay indoors, so retailers and tourist-oriented businesses see fewer customers during the peak heat hours. More critically, power outages from overloaded grids (like the six-day series of cuts in 2023) mean restaurants can't refrigerate food, offices and shops can't comfortably serve customers, and some businesses have to close early. 

Looking Ahead: Lessons from Extreme Weather

From historic floods to freak storms and searing heatwaves, Malta's encounters with extreme weather have taught important lessons. One clear takeaway is the value of preparedness and infrastructure investment.

When a red alert or "twissija ħamra" for storms is issued, many proactively move cars from flood-prone zones, secure outdoor items, and prepare for possible power cuts. One positive development is improved early warning and response systems. The Malta Met Office now provides more detailed forecasts and hazard warnings days ahead. Social media and mobile alerts spread the word quickly when a violent thunderstorm or heatwave is on the way, giving citizens and businesses precious time to prepare. Coordination between agencies, like Infrastructure Malta, CPD, Enemalta, and local councils has improved in managing the fallout of extreme weather, be it clearing flooded roads or restoring electricity faster.

Malta may not face hurricanes or monsoons like other regions of the world do, but as this overview shows, it has seen its share of extreme weather. By learning from these episodes and investing in resilience, Malta is striving to ensure that the next "big one" can be weathered with minimal harm to its people and way of life.

About Matthew Gollcher

Hi I'm Matthew, a content writer and Business & Marketing student at the University of Malta. I'm passionate about creating meaningful content and exploring AI's creative possibilities. When I'm not working or studying, I enjoy the gym, time with friends, watching series, and playing guitar. I'm always eager to learn and grow both personally and professionally.