Malta Heatwave 2026: The July Record and Heat Warnings

Short answer: the big Malta heatwave of 2026 ran from 16 to 22 July. On Saturday 18 July, the Meteorological Office recorded 43.3°C at Malta International Airport, a new July record and only 0.5°C below the all-time high of 43.8°C from August 1999. After three consecutive days above 42°C, the Met Office issued a red warning, its highest level; health authorities escalated the Heat Health Action Plan and opened 20 cooling centres for vulnerable people. Summer is over, but heatwaves are now a regular part of Malta’s year, so here is what happened and how to plan outings around the heat next time.

Last checked: October 2026. Sources: Meteorological Office readings as reported by MNA/Italpress (19 July 2026) and GuideMeMalta (23 July 2026).

The Malta heatwave of July 2026: what happened

For context, Malta’s all-time record remains 43.8°C, set in August 1999. The 2026 reading came within half a degree of it.

The rest of summer 2026

July was not a one-off. GuideMeMalta’s end-of-summer round-up (1 September 2026), citing the Maltese Islands Weather service, reported that August 2026 had the highest mean temperature ever recorded locally, at about 30°C, beating the previous August record of 29.3°C from 1999. Sea temperatures sat around 31°C during August, which kept nights warm and humid, and by August the islands had gone more than 100 days without significant rainfall. The same round-up puts summer 2026 alongside 1999, 2003, 2012 and 2023 as Malta’s standout years for extreme heat.

For anyone planning outings, the practical lesson is the night-time heat. With the sea that warm, evenings barely cool down, so a late dinner outdoors is pleasant but a packed, enclosed bar or a crowded bus can feel stifling well after midnight. Humidity also matters as much as the headline temperature: on the muggiest days, the apparent temperature approached 50°C, according to the same report. If the power goes out in hot weather, our Malta power cut guide explains what to check and what to do.

How heat warnings work in Malta

The Meteorological Office issues colour-coded weather warnings, and heat is one of the hazards it covers. In short:

• Yellow: potentially dangerous weather, such as very hot days. Keep plans, with a backup.
• Orange (amber): dangerous weather; unusual conditions forecast. Move outdoor plans or postpone.
• Red: very dangerous weather; exceptionally intense conditions. The level issued in July 2026.

Our guide to Malta weather warnings explains each level in more detail, including wind, rain and thunderstorm warnings. During heatwaves, health authorities also publish advice under the Heat Health Action Plan, and may open cooling centres.

Who a Malta heatwave affects most

• Older people, babies and young children, and people with heart or breathing conditions.
• People living alone or without adequate home cooling. In July 2026, authorities urged residents to check on older relatives, neighbours and people living alone.
• Outdoor workers and anyone exercising outside in the middle of the day.
• Visitors who are not used to the strength of the Maltese sun and walk long distances at midday.
• Anyone drinking alcohol in the heat. In July 2026, the culture minister specifically advised limiting alcohol and drinking plenty of water.

Planning outings in a Malta heatwave

Heatwaves do not mean cancelling every plan. They mean moving plans to the right time and place. What works:

Some practical ideas from around the site: an evening at a beach club or a sunset swim (see our Malta beach clubs guide), indoor plans in our rainy day activities list, which work just as well on hot days, and early-morning routes in our hiking trails guide.

Heat safety box

Heatwaves and going out at night

In Malta, summer heat pushes social life later. During the July 2026 heatwave, evenings stayed warm well after sunset, which made late dinners, seafront walks and open-air bars the most comfortable plans of the day. A few habits that help on hot nights out:

• Eat late and drink water between drinks; alcohol and heat dehydrate you faster.
• Choose terraces by the sea or rooftops with a breeze over enclosed bars.
• Night buses and ferries can be warm and crowded; carry water for the trip home.
• If you feel unwell, stop, sit in the shade or somewhere air-conditioned, and drink water.

Hosting a plan in the heat

If you are the one organising, a few choices make a hot-weather plan work for everyone. Pick a meeting point with shade or air conditioning, so nobody waits in the sun for late arrivals. Say clearly in the plan what people should bring (water, a hat, swimwear) and keep walking distances short. For sea plans, choose a spot people can reach by bus without a long walk from the stop, and set a time in the late afternoon, when the water is still warm and the sun is lower. Agree in advance who brings shared things like a cool box or a parasol, and whether the cost is split.

What to do if a plan gets cancelled

In extreme heat, organisers sometimes move or cancel outdoor events, and some walking groups pause midday walks. Follow the organiser’s channels on the day. If you are hosting a plan yourself, move it rather than cancel it: a coffee at 09:00 or a drink at 20:00 is better than a cancelled lunch. Our Malta transport changes explainer is also worth a look if you rely on buses, which can be crowded and warm in peak summer.

Malta heatwave FAQ

What was the highest temperature in Malta in 2026?

The Meteorological Office recorded 43.3°C at Malta International Airport on Saturday 18 July 2026, a new July record. The all-time record is 43.8°C, from August 1999.

When was the Malta heatwave in 2026?

The most intense heatwave ran from 16 to 22 July 2026, with three consecutive days above 42°C and a red warning from the Meteorological Office.

What should I do in a Malta heatwave?

Stay hydrated, avoid the sun between late morning and late afternoon, move outdoor plans to early morning or evening, check on vulnerable people and call 112 in an emergency.

Plan around the heat, not against it

Malta’s summers are getting hotter, and the best plans move with them: sunrise walks, evening swims, dinners after dark.