Rain and rough seas for Sant Antoni and Sant Sebastià

The Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) has warned of a gradual shift towards more unstable weather conditions in the Balearic Islands, with rainfall expected over the weekend and the arrival of a more adverse weather system from Monday, 19 January, affecting both onshore conditions and navigation at sea.

On Saturday, 17th of January, AEMET is maintaining low-level weather warnings for rainfall in Ibiza and Formentera, as well as in southern and eastern Mallorca. Locally heavy showers are expected in these areas, with accumulations that could reach 20 litres per square metre in one hour and a probability of between 40% and 70%. Although this is considered a moderate episode, rainfall may be intense at times and accompanied by variable wind gusts, potentially leading to reduced visibility and a temporary deterioration of sea conditions.

From a maritime perspective, conditions are expected to become progressively more challenging. Irregular winds and increasing swell may complicate crossings, especially in open waters and inter-island routes, so extra caution is advised for any planned outings at sea over the weekend.

However, attention is focused on the start of next week. Between 19th and 25th of January, a period of severe weather will affect the mainland Mediterranean area and the Balearic archipelago, bringing heavy and persistent rainfall, strong wind gusts, and a significant deterioration of maritime conditions. Current forecasts suggest that Monday will mark the beginning of the most adverse phase of the episode, with rough seas or strong swell and an increased risk for navigation.

In view of this scenario, AEMET recommends closely monitoring the evolution of weather warnings and avoiding unnecessary navigation during the most challenging periods of the storm, as conditions may intensify rapidly during the early part of the week.