Why were there so many lightning bolts last night in the Balearic Islands?

The Balearic Islands were illuminated last night by an intense and constant lightning display, amidst a storm episode that affected different parts of the Islands and left 75 incidents, according to data from the Emergency Coordination Center. The electrical activity left a spectacular sky full of lightning, as can be seen in the images recorded in Colonia de Sant Pere by geographer Miquel Salamanca. The phenomenon, however, is not exceptional at this time of year. As he explains, it is a "very typical" pattern for late August in the Balearic Islands and the Mediterranean.

The key is the combination of several atmospheric factors. "At the end of summer, we have all the ingredients for strong storms to form," notes Salamanca. On the one hand, there is a lot of energy accumulated on the surface and, especially, with the sea, which is very warm this year. On the other hand, the first drops or incursions of cold air arrive in the middle and upper layers of the atmosphere. This temperature difference favors the vertical development of clouds and allows very powerful storm structures to form. "The combination causes very powerful clouds to grow that we don't have at other times of the year," explains the geographer.

A line of storms from the Pitiusas to Mallorca and Menorca

Last night's episode was dominated by a line of storms formed by several nuclei. The system initially formed in the Pityusic Islands and later moved towards Mallorca and Menorca.

Salamanca recalls that these storms are very local phenomena. Therefore, the differences can be significant even between relatively close areas: while it may rain very intensely at the point where the most active nucleus passes, practically no drop may fall a few kilometers away.

In addition to rain and lightning, these storms have been associated with strong gusts of wind. During this evening's episode, gusts of more than 90 km/h were recorded in Ibiza and Mallorca, while at Menorca airport, speeds reached 121 km/h.

What are the downbursts that accompany storms?

These strong gusts of wind are called downbursts, a phenomenon associated with thunderstorms that can cause damage.

According to Salamanca, they are produced by the descending cold air that accompanies precipitation. This air falls forcefully from the cloud towards the surface and, upon reaching the ground, can disperse in all directions and cause a sudden increase in wind speed.

More than 30 incidents in Mallorca, 27 in Menorca 14 in Ibiza

Regarding the 75 incidents due to the storm, according to information from the Balearic Islands Emergency Coordination Center, 31 occurred in Mallorca, distributed among 7 in Manacor, 6 in Felanitx, 3 in Calvià, and 3 in Sant Llorenç; 27 in Menorca, the majority in Maó (13) and 6 more in Alaior and 4 in Castell; 14 in Ibiza distributed among 6 in Sant Josep and 4 in Santa Eulària, and 3 in Formentera.

The majority (33) were fallen trees, and there were also 8 interruptions of basic services and 7 dislodgments of urban elements. Obstacles or liquids on the roadway (5), risks of dislodgments (4), adrift boats (4), floods in buildings or establishments (2), and other cases such as floods on public roads, traffic accidents, people in danger at sea, and various fires of different types were also attended to. This Friday at first light, a total of 13 incidents were still ongoing, including 6 interruptions of basic services, 2 dislodgments of urban elements, 4 fallen trees, and 1 flood in an establishment.