Italian meteorologists forecast ‘possibility’ of snow over Malta

Italy's Meteo Web said today that a snowfall is "possible" over the Maltese islands and Lampedusa, as the cold Siberian front which has covered most of the Italian pensinsula in snow over the past two days is seemingly moving southwards.

The site has also referred to the last time Malta recorded a snowfall: 47 years ago.

It said that Malta has experience just four snowfalls since 1895.

In fact the only recorded snowfalls were in 1895, 1905, 1947 and in 1962.

47 years ago, some two to three centimetres of snow covered most of the island, including the beaches. Temperatures went as low as -1.5 centigrade.

According to the Malta International Airport Met Office, temperatures around Malta are expected to average a maximum of 10 degrees, with a minimum of 6 degrees, which is lower than the average for February. Such temperatures however do not prompt snowfalls.

Meanwhile, heavy snowfalls and freezing temperatures continues to batter Europe, including Italy.

Up to eight inches of snowfall paralysed Rome, shutting down tourist sites including the Colosseum, where the tiers which once held cheering spectators for gladiator fights where hidden by snow.

St. Peter's Basilica was coated in snow and crowned the ancient arches in the Roman Forum, but its weight toppled trees, sending some of them crashing onto empty parked cars.

Rome's mayor has extended the shutdown of schools through tomorrow and said city offices would also be closed.

Mayor Gianni Alemanno appealed to any private citizens with shovels to help clear the city.