Brits jetting off to the Balearic Islands for an early autumn week in the sun look set to be left disappointed – and even at risk – as the entire Spanish archipelago has been placed under severe orange weather alerts this week. The weather first took a turn for the worst on Monday, September 8 and is not set to ease up until Thursday, September 11.
“The storm will be located over the Balearic Islands and will bring torrential rain: it is important to take precautions,” warned María José Guerrero, delegate and spokesperson for the State Meteorological Agency, AEMET, in the Balearics.
In some areas, rainfall could exceed 140 litres per square metre in just three or four hours, it has been predicted. On Tuesday, September 9, the entire island of Majorca will be on orange alert for storms and very heavy rain, which could be torrential in some areas. “
It is important to be cautious, this is not a green warning,” the spokesperson stressed, reported the Majorca Daily Bulletin. The orange alert will remain in place until 7am on Wednesday.
However, Ms Guerrero highlighted that AEMET is closely monitoring the weather on the island to see if the warnings need to be updated. She explained that these heavy rains are being caused by a cold front at mid-level and a low-pressure system over the Balearics, which will cause a convergence of strong winds. In addition, the sea temperature is very high, at 27C, so very heavy and even torrential rains are expected.
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 also 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. Residents and visitors have, therefore, been advised to exercise extreme caution, stay tuned to official information updates throughout the day and follow civil protection instructions if necessary.
With the threat of rain and storms, emergency services have recommended securing doors and windows, staying in the upper floors of your 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, avoiding basements and garages and turning off the main electricity switch if water enters the property.
In the countryside, they have urged people to stay away from torrents and flood-prone areas, while in urban areas, seek shelter in a building and do not walk through areas with moving water. They have also recommended avoiding travelling by car unless absolutely necessary. If driving, moderate your speed, increase your safety distance and use motorways and main roads. In case of low visibility, stop the vehicle and signal your position.
It is also vital to have a charged mobile phone and sufficient fuel in the vehicle when on the road and they have warned not to park on bridges, pavements or river mouths.
On Tuesday, a significant drop in temperatures is also expected, with maximum temperatures falling by around 5 or 6C, meaning they will not exceed 24 to 26C. Ms Guerrero pointed out that these figures will be below the usual temperature for this time of year, which usually sits at 27C.
Wednesday is also expected to be unstable, though it will improve throughout the day. The current forecast predicts 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. By Thursday, skies will be predominantly clear and daytime temperatures will rise.