Winds of 116 km/h were recorded in Mallorca in the early hours of Saturday morning, that is just short of a level one Hurricane. A Hurricane (Category 1) involves winds of 119 – 153 km/h. While 116 km/h is just below the hurricane threshold, it is still capable of causing widespread damage, including uprooting trees and damaging structures.
And, the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has announced this morning that it is maintaining the yellow alert today, Saturday, for strong gusts of wind and coastal phenomena in Mallorca and Menorca, with gusts of 60 to 70 km/h forecast, which could reach up to 100 km/h in mountain peaks and capes. The wind will intensify throughout Mallorca, with widespread gusts of 70 km/h that could reach up to 100 km/h in the peaks and capes of the Serra de Tramuntana and the north and north-east of the island.
Wind warnings are in effect across the island and will remain so until 5.59 pm in the north and northeast, inland, south and east of Mallorca. In the Serra de Tramuntana, however, the warning will remain in effect until 9.59 pm. The swell will affect the south, the Serra de Tramuntana and the north and northeast of Mallorca, where waves of up to three metres in height will be recorded throughout the day.
In Menorca, the wind and wave warnings will remain in effect until 5:59 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, respectively, and will leave identical weather conditions. According to provisional data from the Aemet, in the last 12 hours, between 8 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. on Saturday, maximum gusts of up to 116 km/h have already been reached in Mallorca in the Serra d’Alfàbia; 90 km/h in Cabrera; 88 km/h in Binissalem; 80 km/h in Santa María; 78 km/h in Palma, Dic de l’Oest; 77 km/h in Puerto Soller; 75 km/h at the Capdepera lighthouse; 70 km/h in Pollensa and Muro; 68 km/h in Portocolom; 66 km/h in Banyalbufar and Son Bonet, Airport; 64 km/h in Sa Pobla; and 63 km/h in Petra and Cap Blanc.
In addition, maximum gusts of up to 61 km/h were recorded in Calvia; 59 km/h in Palma, UIB and Palma Airport; 58 km/h in Sineu, Porreres, Palma, Portopí and Campos, Salines; 56 km/h in Santanyí; 54 km/h in Campos; 53 km/h in Escorca and Lluc; 52 km/h in Manacor; 51 km/h in Son Servera; and 48 km/h in Andratx and Sant Elm. In Menorca, the highest gusts were recorded in Es Mercadal (59 km/h), Menorca airport (58 km/h) and Ciutadella, Cala Galdana (58 km/h). And in the Pitiusas, at Ibiza Airport (61 km/h), Sant Antoni de Portmany (39 km/h), Formentera (37 km/h) and Ibiza (34 km/h)