Met Office issues red weather warning due to expected strong winds

by Gozo News · January 19, 2026

A red weather warning, the highest level of alert, has been issued by the Meteorological Office, as East-Southeasterly winds are expected to strengthen further and reach gale force from this afternoon, Monday.

The warning urges the public to take “all necessary precautions and to avoid coastal areas, particularly along the Southern and Eastern shores of the Maltese Islands, where the strongest winds are expected.”

The Met Office explained that this unstable weather is being caused by a low-pressure system over Algeria, which is expected to extend into the central Mediterranean, intensify, and move towards Tunisia, while a high-pressure system establishes itself over the Balkans.

The Meteorological Office is forecasting average winds of Force 8 to 9, with gusts reaching Force 9 in the most exposed areas. These very strong winds are expected to persist through tomorrow evening, Tuesday, the 20th of January, when conditions may escalate to a severe gale.

In fact, it said that the red warning for gale-force winds is expected to remain in force until tomorrow evening. Additional warnings related to strong winds, albeit below gale force, are also expected to be issued in the days that follow.

For mariners, a red warning is also in force for the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour due to a moderate Easterly to Northeasterly swell.

In addition to the strong winds, isolated showers, which may at times be heavy and accompanied by thunderstorms, are expected to affect the Maltese Islands from tonight through to the morning of Wednesday, the 21st of January. Hail is also possible. The most intense rainfall is expected on Tuesday.

The Met Office said that such weather systems are not uncommon during this time of year. On the 24th of February 2019, a similar storm (a Grigalata) affected the Maltese Islands, with winds also reaching Force 8 to 9, although on that occasion the wind blew from the Northeast.

More recently, in February 2023, Storm Helios caused significant damage due to strong Easterly to East-Northeasterly winds and prolonged heavy rainfall.