MaltaPost is issuing a set of three stamps to raise awareness about the work carried by the Malta Meteorological Office, which this year celebrates 100 years from its inception.

The Meteorological Office is Malta's primary source for weather-related information. Over the past century, our Meteorological Office, which is in fact the only official meteorological office on the Islands, has been providing critical information which has been crucial for the wellbeing of our community and the safe day-to-day operations of various industries.

July 1922 saw the opening of the first Meteorological Office in Malta, under the management of the UK Air Ministry. It was initially based in Guardamangia and fell under management of the Royal Air Force (RAF). With the onset of the Second World War, the meteorological team moved underground for reasons of safety and security during air raids. It was only in 1942 that an observation station was opened at the Luqa airfield, expanding to a weather forecasting office a year later.

The stamps will be issued in a sheet of 10 stamps, each measuring 35mm x 35mm, with a comb perforation 13.75x13.75 (comb) and bearing the Maltese Cross watermark. The sheets measure 205 mm x 110mm and were produced by Printex Ltd in the offset process. The issue consists of 500,000 of the €0.07c stamp, 500,000 of the €0.37c stamp and 100,000 of the €1.25 stamp.

These items will be available from all Post Offices in Malta and Gozo from Friday 1 July. Orders may be placed online at www.maltaphilately.com or by mail from the Philatelic Bureau, MaltaPost p.l.c. 305, Qormi Road, Marsa, MTP 1001; Telephone: 2596 1740, e-mail: info@maltaphilately.com