Mallorca is under an orange alert as severe storms approach. Emergency services warn of heavy rain, hail, and strong winds. Residents are urged to avoid travel and follow safety advice as temperatures drop sharply.
Mallorca is under an orange alert as emergency services prepare for a sudden change in the weather that could disrupt daily life across the island. The Directorate-General for Emergencies has activated the IG-1 level of the Meteobal Plan, warning that up to 40 litres of rain per square metre could fall in just one hour on Wednesday. Hail and wind gusts of up to 80 kilometres per hour are also expected. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has issued warnings for flooding, dangerous sea conditions, and coastal hazards, with the most severe weather likely to hit on Wednesday afternoon.
Officials met on Tuesday to review the situation, issuing a yellow alert for coastal risks and a specific warning for a ‘rissaga’ in Menorca, where sea level changes could reach 90 centimetres. Both Mallorca and Menorca are facing strong winds, and waves up to four metres are forecast along the coast. The emergency plan urges people to avoid unnecessary travel, stay clear of flood-prone areas, and secure anything that could be blown away. These warnings apply to all the Balearic Islands, with Menorca receiving extra advisories due to the risk of sudden sea level changes.
Before the storm, the Balearic Islands had been under heat warnings, with temperatures reaching up to 39°C, making the sudden weather change even more dramatic.
Forecasts from Aemet show a sharp drop in temperatures, with daytime highs expected to fall by about 10 degrees compared to recent days. After a stretch of heat that saw temperatures peak at 39°C, Wednesday will bring highs between 29°C and 32°C—still above the seasonal average of 28°C, but a noticeable change from the recent heatwave. The weather front, moving in from the mainland, is expected to bring mist and morning fog before heavy, localised downpours and thunderstorms develop. The most intense storms are forecast for Wednesday afternoon and evening, with conditions expected to improve gradually by Thursday.
Between 8:00 and 20:00, rainfall could reach 20 litres per square metre in an hour, with the worst weather likely in the afternoon. Winds will shift from the southwest to the north and northeast, picking up strength as the day goes on. By Thursday, the storms should ease, but unsettled weather will continue, with more showers and a lingering risk of storms. Minimum temperatures will drop to between 16°C and 20°C, and highs will range from 27°C to 30°C. Winds are expected to calm by midday. Aemet has also warned of possible coastal flooding, with waves up to four metres along exposed shorelines.
The regional emergency commission activated the Meteobal IG-1 protocol for rain and thunderstorms, urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from flood-prone areas, and secure loose objects that could be blown away by strong winds. These measures are part of a coordinated response to minimize risks during the peak of the storm.
Residents are being told to follow official updates and stick to all safety recommendations. The regional government has stressed the need to avoid seafront promenades, breakwaters, and cliffs during the heavy swell, and has advised against water sports until the weather settles. In an emergency, people should call 112 for help. The response is similar to measures taken in other parts of Spain during recent storms, as seen recently in Catalonia.
Authorities have acted quickly, issuing clear alerts and public guidance. The combination of orange and yellow warnings, along with detailed instructions, reflects a more proactive approach to risk management in the Balearics. With extreme weather becoming more common, Mallorca’s readiness to put emergency plans into action and communicate directly with residents is essential. The next few days will test the island’s infrastructure and how well the public follows advice, but the steps taken so far show a clear commitment to keeping people safe.
