From intense heat to storms: the Balearic Islands face a sharp change in weather

Mallorca will reach temperatures of up to 38°C today, Tuesday, September 8th, while on Wednesday rain, thunderstorms, strong winds and rough seas will spread across much of the archipelago.

The Balearic Islands are set to experience a marked change in weather over the coming hours. Heat will be the main feature this Tuesday, September 8th, particularly in Mallorca, before giving way on Wednesday to a much more unsettled day, with heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, strong gusts of wind and rough seas in various parts of the islands.

On Tuesday, maximum temperatures could reach 38°C in northern and northeastern Mallorca, while temperatures of up to 36°C are expected in the Serra de Tramuntana and inland areas of the island. Weather warnings will remain in effect from midday through the early afternoon.

The situation will change significantly on Wednesday, September 9th. Rainfall and thunderstorms will affect virtually the entire archipelago. In Mallorca and Menorca, up to 25 litres per square metre could fall in just one hour, while in Ibiza and Formentera the intensity could be even greater, with totals of up to 30 litres per square metre in one hour.

Rain will be accompanied by thunderstorms in Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, resulting in a highly unsettled day that will begin in the morning and, in the Pitiusas, could continue into the night.

Winds will also strengthen during Wednesday afternoon. In northern and northeastern Mallorca and in Menorca, gusts of up to 70 km/h are expected, with winds from the north and northeast.

The situation will also affect sea conditions. From mid-morning onwards, winds of between 40 and 60 km/h and waves of two to three metres are expected around Ibiza and Formentera, the Serra de Tramuntana, northern and northeastern Mallorca, and Menorca. Rough seas are also expected to develop along Mallorca's eastern coast during the afternoon, with waves potentially reaching two metres.

The stormy maritime conditions will continue during the first hours of Thursday, September 10. Rough seas will persist around the Serra de Tramuntana, northern and northeastern Mallorca and the island's eastern coast, as well as in Menorca, with northerly and northeasterly winds and waves of between two and three metres. Conditions are expected to improve across most of Mallorca from the morning onwards, while warnings in Menorca will remain in place until midday.

In just 24 hours, therefore, the Balearic Islands will go from fully summer-like temperatures approaching 40°C to an episode of rain, thunderstorms, strong winds and rough seas, with Wednesday expected to be the most challenging day of this sharp change in weather.