Weather stations warn of strong gale, high waves

The MIA Met Office and maltaweathersite, a private meteorological weather station, have warned of a strong gale and high waves tonight. The MIA Met Office said a Force 6 wind (30 know gusts) is expected for the rest of the day and may rise to Force seven tonight. maltaweathersite said an intense low pressure system over southern Italy and higher pressure over northern Africa is creating a strong airflow over the Maltese Islands. The wind is already a strong Force 6 gusting Force 8 from a south-westerly direction. It said it is expected to increase to a very strong Gale Force 8 gusting Force 9 from a West to WNW direction overnight. The wind will then weaken gradually tomorrow from Force 7 to Force 6. The site warned that the rough sea will be dangerous for boats  sailing or berthed along the western coast of Malta and Gozo.  The weather over the next 24 hours is expected to be mostly clear to partly cloudy with a high of around 25C today. Tomorrow’s high will be cooler at just 22C.