FEW people would have been worrying about the heat yesterday as torrential rain fell in some parts of the Balearics and temperatures dropped sharply.
However, while this summer is not going to be as hot as last year, there will be periods of brief heat waves, lasting three or four days, when temperatures in the Balearics will pass the 35ºC mark.
While many parts of the island were mopping up yesterday, Agustín Jansà, head of the Balearic met. office in Palma, said that there are a few hot spells on the horizon this summer.
The heavy rains, which he said are not unusual for this time of year, will gradually move out of the region over the next few days. Temperatures will gradually start returning to normal from tomorrow and the first of the snap heat waves could arrive as early as this weekend.
Overnight, 14 litres of rain fell per square metre in Soller and 22 litres in Lluc. However, sporadic or not, the Balearic emergency and health services are ready to deal with a heat wave. Yesterday, central government delegate Ramon Socias, visited the met. office to discuss the long term forecast for the summer and see how the centre keeps track of the region's weather. Socias said that the Balearic emergency services are more than ready to handle a heat wave.
He explained that a heat wave has to last at least three days before emergency action is taken. Socias said that third day is crucial and that is when the red alert is declared.