The Civil Protection Department has warned the public to avoid rooftops, balconies and hillsides overnight on Sunday, leading into Monday, as Malta braces for gale-force winds.

In a Facebook post on Sunday evening, the CPD warned the public to stay away from elevated urban areas and coastal areas, secure outdoor items and exercise caution while driving.

The warning comes as windspeeds are expected to steadily climb overnight, reaching 34 knots – the threshold for gales – by Monday morning.

Windspeeds are expected to reach Force 5 (up to 21 knots) by the end of Sunday, before continuing to increase through to Monday, when the Met Office forecasts windspeeds of up to Force 8 (40 knots).

The CPD urged the public to “avoid working at heights, including rooftops, balconies, scaffolding, and exposed structures” for the following 12 hours.

“Stay away from the shoreline, breakwaters, and coastal paths,” it said, while warning that strong waves and sea spray could be encountered in areas close to the sea.

“Please keep watch for further updates and official instructions over the coming hours”, the department said.

The Met Office told Times of Malta that winds of over 40 knots are possible from Monday to Tuesday.

It stressed that, due to the upcoming weather conditions, “the public should heed the warnings the Met Office will be issuing in the coming days and follow the latest forecasts and warnings online”.

Weather warnings will be colour-coded according to the severity of the impact, it explained: “For example, if Force 8 or above is expected to affect the Maltese Islands, a Red Wind Warning will be issued. The Met Office also expects to issue Marine Wind Warnings.”

Winds are expected to reach gale-force speeds by tomorrow morning at around 7am, according to popular weather website Windfinder.com.

Meanwhile, parts of Sicily and Sardinia have issued red weather warnings, according to local media reports, with schools expected to remain closed until Wednesday and major downpours, gale-force winds and even snowfall forecast.

The adverse weather conditions are the result of an area of low pressure over Algeria extending into the Central Mediterranean, which is expected to intensify and move over Tunisia, while an area of high pressure will remain over the Balkans.