Sea temperatures around much of the Maltese Islands are expected to reach an unusually warm 28°C over the Mnarja weekend, according to a forecast report by MCAST Professor Aldo Drago. The warmest waters are forecast between Mellieħa Bay and Bengħajsa Reef on 29th and 30th June, while slightly cooler conditions are expected south of Gozo. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lovin Malta (@lovinmalta)Professor Drago said the forecast temperatures are around 4°C above the seasonal average based on the past 30 years, with sea temperatures throughout June rising at an exceptional rate of around 1°C every five days. The report attributes the unusually warm conditions to a marine heatwave, a phenomenon that has become increasingly frequent across the Mediterranean in recent years due to climate change. According to the report, the warming isn’t limited to the sea surface. Heat is expected to mix through the upper layers of the sea, potentially reaching depths of around 20 metres, which can place additional stress on marine ecosystems, coastal habitats and fisheries. While the first few days of July are expected to bring some temporary relief, seasonal forecasts suggest that further periods of unusually high sea temperatures are likely throughout the summer.•