A meteorological and statistical analysis of local convective storms

Abstract

This study looks at the behaviour of convective storms in the central Mediterranean Region and around the Maltese Islands. All the data used in this study came from the Malta Meteorological Office (World Meteorological Organisation Climate Station, 16597), located at Luqa Malta. For this study all the available thunderstorm data was used; from 11th July 1922 – 31st December 2020, which until this study was never properly and thoroughly analyzed. This study’s main aim was to produce results regarding thunderstorm frequency and trends in the Maltese Islands throughout the studied period. With the aim of increasing the amount of knowledge we have about thunderstorms in this region. As of the published date of this study there is very limited amount of information regarding this research question. Overall the main aim of this study was achieved. The results produced are very interesting, as they shed a light on the variability of these storms. The results show that overall thundery days in the Maltese Islands are uniformly increasing. In total four months showed a statistically significant increase in thunderstorm activity these were; January, February, September and November, with the rest showing no statistically significant changes throughout the studied years. In general the already stormy months registered a statistically significant increase, with the less stormy months staying relatively constant. This pattern resulted in the overall yearly increase in thunderstorm activity. Another interesting fact is that no season or month registered a statistically significant decrease in thunderstorm activity. This study also shows that the observed results and increases are mostly attributed to the warming trend of the Mediterranean Sea and increased CAPE levels over our area.