Weather, an essential ally for safe sailing in the Balearic Islands

With the start of the new season, Passion for the Sea has addressed one of the most decisive factors for anyone heading out to sea: the weather.

In a region like the Balearic Islands, where the sea can shift from complete calm to challenging conditions in a matter of hours, knowing the weather forecast is not optional, it is essential.

To discuss this topic, the programme featured Àngel Muñoz, founder of Meteo de les Illes, an informative project that has become a trusted reference for sailors, fishermen, sea enthusiasts and the general public seeking to understand what is happening in the atmosphere and how it may affect the archipelago’s coastline.

Àngel Muñoz’s passion for meteorology began at a very young age, inspired by observing clouds and sudden weather changes. “I was always fascinated by how a calm morning could completely transform in just a few hours,” he explains. His interest was further fueled by news reports about extreme weather events and natural disasters around the world, sparking his curiosity to understand how, why and under what conditions these phenomena occur.

Over time, and with the rise of social media, Muñoz decided to channel this passion into a platform designed to bring meteorology closer to the public in a simple, clear and accessible way, avoiding overly technical language.

The creation of Meteo de les Illes as an information project came in the aftermath of the Sant Llorenç floods, when Àngel identified a clear need for immediate information. “People needed to know what was happening in real time,” he says. This led to the creation of a WhatsApp channel aimed at providing fast and updated alerts, particularly useful in the Balearic context.

The initiative grew through word of mouth among family and friends, eventually becoming firmly established as users began to appreciate the consistency, proximity and practical value of the information, especially during adverse weather episodes.

To prepare his forecasts, Àngel relies on official sources such as the Spanish State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), as well as leading meteorological models including the European model, AROME and GFS. However, his distinctive value lies in the way he communicates the data: “The key is to simplify — to talk about clouds, wind, temperatures or directions clearly and to use images so everyone can understand.”

During the interview, Muñoz, who will now join the programme with a regular meteorology segment, explained the essential factors every skipper should check before setting sail: wind (direction and intensity), the overall atmospheric situation and humidity, which is particularly important due to its connection with fog formation, an added risk offshore.

“The most common mistake is thinking the weather is always good here,” he warns. “The forecast can change within hours, and a general mobile app forecast is not the same as a navigation-specific one.”

His final advice is clear and straightforward: “Always check the weather before heading out. No matter how good the day looks. Prevention is always better than cure.”

From now on, every Friday on Pasión por el Mar, Àngel will provide a weekend weather forecast, explained in a simple way and specially tailored for those planning to go out to sea.