Heavy rains and storms affect northern Mallorca and Menorca

PalmThe precipitation and storms this Thursday They have mainly affected the northern part of Mallorca and Menorca. This is the case in Bonaire, in Alcudia—as seen in the Balearic Islands Weather video—where heavy rainfall was recorded around 1 p.m. The storms dumped between 20 and 30 liters per square meter in the north of the island until 2 p.m., after which they moved towards Menorca. According to the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet), 33 liters per square meter were recorded in Muro and 16.2 liters in Sa Pobla. Lower values were recorded in Escorca-Lluc, with 9.3 liters per square meter, and in Pollença, 8.6.

Aemet maintains the orange warning on both islands due to storms and heavy rainfall, which could discharge up to 40 liters per square meter in one hour in some areas.

The warnings were activated in all cases at 10:00 a.m. and are orange for the Tramuntana mountain range, northern Mallorca, inland, and eastern Mallorca. They will be yellow for the south of the island, where records of up to 20 liters per square meter in one hour are expected.

In Menorca, northern Mallorca, and the Tramuntana mountain range, the warnings will be in effect until 11:59 p.m., while for the rest of the areas, they are expected to be deactivated at 5:59 p.m. Given the situation, the General Directorate of Emergencies has activated Severity Index 1 of the Meteobal Plan on both islands.

Thus, showers and storms were recorded during this day, although they were not widespread but were locally strong in the aforementioned areas.

Delays and cancellations at Palma airport

The orange alert in the Archipelago has also caused more than a hundred delays at the airports of Palma, Ibiza, and Menorca. According to Aena, Son Sant Joan has 98 delayed flights: 43 departures and 55 arrivals. Two flights scheduled to arrive from Paris have also been canceled.

1,700 lightning strikes

Meanwhile, a storm unleashed some 1,700 lightning bolts on Menorca and its coastal surroundings early Thursday afternoon, reported María José Guerrero, director of the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) in the Balearic Islands.

The significant electrical charge unleashed is the most striking factor in the downpour, which also left 21 liters per square meter in Mahon and Mercadal in a short time.

Finally, 34 liters were recorded in Alcudia, the most notable rainfall figure on the island, where the storm barely made any impact on land beyond the Menorca Channel. Both islands have been on IG1 alert for heavy rain until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday.