Formation of stratocumulus perlucidus which have irregular appearance and in this case are wind blown. Despite a deep low pressure and a weather sounding that indicated good conditions for the formation of thunderstorms, none were observed over the Maltese Islands. Earlier in the night, the same low brought with it huge quantities of air borne sand over the Maltese Islands which reduced visibility to just 1000 metres. The low pressure that originally formed over the Sahara Desert due to strong surface heating moved towards Southern Italy and kept on intensifying to an unusual low of 985hPa due to meeting colder air in the Balkans and hence being fuelled through temperature difference. To the south of it, there was a strong sub-tropical jet stream. Though such low pressure systems bringing dust from the Sahara Desert are common during this time of year through a shift northwards of the sub-tropical jet stream (which sometimes is joined by the polar jet stream), it is rare that such lows attain such low pressure values. The fact that it had much dry air in its circulation and seasonably cool sea, did not help much in cloud formation as the trigger (something to initiate) to start a thunderstorm was lacking except for the mountainous terrain of Southern Italy and Sicily. The first thumbnail show flattened cumulus clouds as seen from the Grand Harbour.