The weather is going to start taking a turn for the worse across Mallorca and the Balearics today and will not ease up until Thursday. ‘The storm will be located over the Balearic Islands and will bring torrential rain: it is important to take precautions,’ stresses María José Guerrero, delegate and spokesperson for the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) in the Balearics and in some areas rainfall could exceed 140 litres in just three or four hours.
On Tuesday, 9 September, the whole island will be on orange alert for storms and very heavy rain, which could be torrential in some areas. ‘More than 140 litres per square metre could accumulate in three or four hours, so it is important to be cautious, this is not a green warning,’ she stressed. In principle, the orange alert will remain in place until 7:00 am on Wednesday, 10 September. However, the Aemet delegate and spokesperson points out that they are closely monitoring the weather in Mallorca to see if the warnings need to be updated.
The AEMET representative and spokesperson for the islands explained that these heavy rains are caused by a cold front at mid-level and a low-pressure system over the Balearic Islands, which will cause a convergence of strong winds. In addition, the sea temperature is very high, at 27º, so very heavy and even torrential rains are expected.
On Tuesday, a significant drop in temperatures is also expected: maximum temperatures will fall by between 5º and 6º, so they will not exceed 24º-26º. Guerrero points out that they will be below the usual temperature for this time of year, which is 27º.
Wednesday is also expected to be unstable, although it will improve throughout the day. The weather forecast is for cloudy intervals with showers accompanied by storms, which could be locally heavy or very heavy until the afternoon. Temperatures will drop slightly again, while the wind will blow between light and moderate, predominantly from the north.
The weather forecast for Mallorca on Thursday, 11 September, predicts mainly clear skies, although a shower cannot be ruled out in the afternoon. Night-time temperatures will remain largely unchanged, while daytime temperatures will rise. The wind will be light to moderate from the south-west, decreasing in the morning to light and variable with coastal breezes.
The Balearic Institute of Nature (Ibanat) has closed nine shelters and three camping areas as a preventive measure in response to the adverse weather conditions. Palma City Council has also activated its special municipal emergency plan. The other agencies are maintaining their operational readiness, prepared to activate the necessary resources should the situation worsen.
The Emergency Services have issued a message of reassurance, stating that the situation is being monitored continuously and that all necessary preventive measures are being coordinated.
The general public is therefore advised to exercise extreme caution, to stay tuned to official information updates throughout the day and to follow civil protection instructions if necessary.
In view of the risk of rain and storms, the emergency services recommend securing doors and windows; staying in the upper floors of the house; removing anything from outside that could be swept away by the water; moving medicines, documents and valuables, as well as food and drinking water, to high places in the house, along with any dangerous products; avoiding basements and garages; and turning off the main electricity switch if water enters the house.
In the countryside, they advise staying away from torrents and flood-prone areas; in urban areas, seek shelter in a building; and do not walk through areas with moving water. They also recommend avoiding travelling by car unless absolutely necessary; if driving, moderate your speed, increase your safety distance and use motorways, dual carriageways and main roads; in case of low visibility, stop the vehicle and signal your position; do not enter flood-prone areas; get out of the vehicle if it starts to float and, if you cannot open the door, use the window. It is also important to have a charged mobile phone and sufficient fuel in the vehicle when on the road, and not to park on bridges, pavements or river mouths.