Frostbite by just being outside for minutes in the US

Dec 24 2022

As Malta prepares itself to have one of the sunniest and warmest Christmas holiday seasons, things in the US have taken a much colder front.

Various international news portals are reporting how temperatures in the US could drop as low as a whopping -45°C, leading to people getting frostbite by just spending a few minutes out in the open.

Over 200 million people – two-thirds of the US population – have been affected by this intense cold as it stretches all the way up to Canada and even down to Mexico.

The storm has been branded as ‘once-in-a-generation, with a weather pattern called a ‘bomb-cyclone’ dropping on the 23rd of December as the air pressure drops drastically.

Temperatures hitting the aforementioned -45°C mark means people could contract frostbite in under five to ten minutes, damaging skin and tissue of hands, feet, ears, noses and lips.

President Joe Biden has even issued a warning, saying that this is not a snow storm that invites people to play in it like when they were kids. ‘This is serious stuff’ and has urged people to stay indoors and as warm as possible to wait the weather out.

#MaltaDaily

We’re not having a ‘White Christmas’

Dec 23 2022

The weather is expected to be delightful on Christmas Day, with the Maltese Islands set to wake up to sunshine and pleasant temperatures on December 25.

The maximum air temperature is forecast to reach 19°C on Christmas Eve and 20°C Christmas Day, while the minimum night-time temperature is set to hover around 13°C-15°C during the weekend. A browse through the Meteorological Office’s archives reveals that the highest Christmas Day temperature on record was registered in 2009 at 23.6°C, while the lowest temperature had dipped to a chilly 3.7°C back in 1986.

While all will be mainly sunny and bright, not all will be calm on Christmas Eve, as the Northwesterly wind is expected to be rather strong to strong, becoming rather strong later in the day. However, Christmas Day is not expected to be as windy, with the Meteorological Office forecasting that a moderate to rather strong Northwesterly wind will blow throughout the day.

No rain is on the cards for the coming days, with a look at past Christmases showing that it has been eight years since it last rained on Christmas Day. Back in 2014, the Meteorological Office had measured 0.2 mm of precipitation on December 25.

Mild temperatures and sunny weather are expected to extend into the coming week, with highs of 21°C forecast until Tuesday and light to moderate winds blowing from Boxing Day onwards.

#MaltaDaily

Three dead and several injured in Paris shooting

Dec 23 2022

A gunman has opened fire in central Paris, killing three people and wounding four others. Tthe attacker targeted a Kurdish community centre and restaurant with what might be a possible racist motive.

The 69-year-old suspect was quickly detained by police.

Reports suggest the suspect is a French national known to police for two counts of attempted killing in the past.

The suspect got injured in the shooting that happened in three places: the Kurdish community centre, a restaurant and a hairdresser salon.

#MaltaDaily

92% of Maltese consider themselves dependent on technology

Dec 23 2022

A study conducted between September and October of this year, show that, 92% of Maltese people consider themselves dependent on technology for daily tasks.

The study published by Misco, involved 291 individuals employed in Malta who make use of different technologies at their workplace.

42% said that the technology at their workplace increases their stress and burnout levels.

41% believe it makes it harder for them to achieve a work-life balance.

48% check their phone for work-related tasks multiple times a day outside their working hours.

90% of respondents say that technology makes them more productive, however the vast majority also agreed that it has increased their working hours.

#MaltaDaily