Mallorca storm warning as heavy rain nears Balearics

Mallorca, in Spain’s Balearic Islands, faces showers and thunderstorms from Friday, with the heaviest rain forecast to shift towards the islands on Saturday. Spain’s State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) issues a special weather warning on Thursday, 1 October, for very heavy, persistent showers across the Balearics and eastern mainland Spain, lasting at least until Saturday.

Why the storms are spreading

Colder air moving in higher up and stronger easterly winds carrying moisture from the Mediterranean are making the weather more unsettled from Thursday afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms first spread across eastern mainland Spain, then reach the Balearics and more inland areas from Friday.

Saturday brings the focus to the islands

Until Friday, Aemet expects the largest rainfall totals on and near the coast of the central and northern Valencian Community and southern Catalonia. Some places there could get more than 90 litres per square metre in an hour, or 200 to 300 litres per square metre in less than 12 hours. Sudden local flooding is possible in low-lying areas, streams and dry riverbeds.

On Saturday, the most intense rain is expected to move towards the Balearics and coastal parts of Catalonia. The warning does not say how much rain Mallorca itself might receive. Aemet says the unsettled weather could continue into Sunday.

Topics: Flooding · Weather · Sea & coast

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com