Updated | Gale force winds, heavy rain expected on voting day

Voting day is expected to be characterised by Force 8 to Force 9 winds, as rain and colder temperatures are expected to dominate voting day.

According to meteological sources, an instable front which has settled over the Mediterranean basin, is expected to meet with another front that is rising from the North African coast, causing heavy storm with rainfall and strong winds to pick up over Malta and Southern Sicily.

In a statement, the Malta Airport MetOffice is advising the general public that following latest data available from its weather forecast models, the strongest winds are expected to hit the Maltese Islands over the first hours of tomorrow.

The MetOffice said this will affect the Maltese Islands causing the Northeast to East wind to reach gale force 8 by late this evening and to reach gale force 8 to 9 later in the night and during Saturday morning.

The current situation is showing a depression over central western Libya which is expected to move northwards reaching the north Libyan coast by Saturday morning while deepening and will then move eastwards filling very slowly.

According to the office, the wind over the Maltese Islands will start decreasing slowly during the afternoon on Saturday and is expected to become strong (force 6) by Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, in a statement issued today, the Civil Protection Department is recommending precautions to be taken by citizens.

"We are recommending that boats are properly moored, billboards secured, windows properly closed, and people avoid areas which are normally flooded or vulnerable to strong winds along the coast line," a CPD spokesman told MaltaToday.

The department said it was issuing the guidelines to make the public more aware of the risks associated with gale force winds. These are the guidelines which the Civil Protection Department said should be followed to mitigate injuries or damages in event of strong winds:

• mariners are advised to check that their seacraft are secured well to their moorings;billboards are anchored well to the floor;
• the public is advised to avoid passing from underneath trees or branches which might fall;
• likewise, drivers are advised to drive even more cautiously due to the fact that debris and torn branches could have been swept onto the road surface;
• canopies, flags, water tank tops, doors and windows should be secured well to avoid damage or injury; persons working at heights should always wear appropriate protective equipment to prevent fall, especially in such prevailing weather conditions.