The Balearics, especially Mallorca, are currently under alert due to strong winds and rough sea conditions, forcing maritime route adjustments and cancellations. The regional office of the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has issued several warnings for intense wind gusts and adverse coastal weather across the island.
Aemet has declared a yellow alert for strong winds throughout Mallorca, except in the southwest, where gusts are expected to reach speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour. On the peaks and capes of the Serra de Tramuntana, those gusts may reach 100 kilometres per hour. These alerts are effective from midday on Sunday, 15 March, until the end of the day.
Coastal warnings for rough seas extend across the island, with orange alerts as waves could reach heights of 10 metres. The southern coast is under a yellow alert until 4pm on 15 March. Meanwhile, Menorca remains on red alert due to expected waves of up to 14 metres.
These weather conditions have led to cancellations and schedule changes for ferry services. Balearia has reported the cancellation of the fast ferry 'Ramon Llull' departure planned for Sunday. Additionally, the company has modified sailing times for ferries between Alcúdia and Ciutadella — specifically the 8.30am and 6pm departures from Alcúdia, and the 4pm and 8pm from Ciutadella — due to adverse meteorological conditions.
Regarding the weather forecast for Mallorca on Sunday, intermittent cloud cover with showers and occasional thunderstorms is anticipated, with the possibility of localised heavy rain and small hail mainly in the northern areas during the morning. Snow may fall again, though less intensely and not at as low altitudes as earlier in the night, with snow levels rising to around 1,000 metres according to Aemet.
Outlook for Monday
The week begins with persistent strong winds, although affecting fewer areas than on Sunday. Aemet has issued a yellow alert for gusts along the Serra de Tramuntana until 3am on Monday, 16 March, and in the north and northeast up to 6am, with gusts up to 70 kilometres per hour. An orange sea warning remains for most of Mallorca’s coasts, excluding the south, until 10am, with waves potentially reaching 10 metres.
On Monday, cloud cover is expected to decrease during the morning, transitioning to partly cloudy or clear skies. Temperatures will rise and northerly winds will blow moderately to strongly with gusts of 70 to 80 kilometres per hour in northern Mallorca during the morning, reducing later to light or moderate westerly winds.