Emergency services activate orange alert in the Balearic Islands due to winds of up to 90 km/h

PalmEmergency services have activated an orange alert this Saturday for rain, storms, strong gusts of wind, and coastal phenomena across much of the Balearic Islands. A yellow alert for rain and storms is also in effect for the entire archipelago. A yellow alert is also in place for Menorca due to strong winds, and for Ibiza and Formentera due to coastal phenomena. The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) maintains an orange alert for strong gusts of wind in the Pitiusas Islands and inland Mallorca, where gusts could reach 90 kilometers per hour (km/h). The rest of Mallorca, except for the Levante region, and Menorca are under a yellow alert for wind, with gusts potentially ranging between 70 and 80 km/h. In the higher elevations and peaks of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, gusts could reach up to 120 km/h.

Due to coastal phenomena, with waves between four and five meters high, an orange alert is in effect for Menorca and Mallorca, again with the exception of the Levante region, which, like the Pitiusas Islands, is at a yellow alert level.

Road closures and incidents

Strong gusts of wind, which have Mallorca under an orange alert, caused around fifteen incidents this Saturday morning on the island. According to the Mallorca Fire Department, the night was calm and no major incidents were reported. However, from 7:00 a.m. onwards, 15 incidents were recorded, mainly due to fallen trees and branches in areas such as Calvià, Raiguer, the Lluc road, Santa Eugenia, Alaró, and Llucmajor. Some trees and branches fell onto various roads, requiring firefighters to remove them to allow traffic to pass. According to sources from the Mallorca Roads Authority, the Coll de Sóller, Caimari-Lluc, and Oriente-Alaró roads are closed to traffic this morning. Changes in the cycling Challenge

Adverse weather has forced a change to the schedule and part of the route of Saturday's Challenge Ciclista en Mallorca race. The organizers, according to a statement, have decided to cancel the first 26-kilometer loop and set a new time for the rider check-in. This Saturday morning, the meeting scheduled according to the extreme weather protocol was held with the participation of the president of the technical jury, Ernesto Maggioni; the sports director of the Caja Rural team, Juan Carlos Vazquez; the riders' representative, Marc Hirschi; and the organizers' representative, Manuel Hernández. This Saturday's race, a total of 121 kilometers, will traverse the Tramuntana mountain range from Andratx to the Colomer viewpoint in Pollença.

Ibiza closes public spaces and suspends outdoor activities due to strong winds

The Ibiza Town Council has closed municipal spaces and suspended outdoor activities scheduled for this Saturday due to the orange alert issued for strong gusts of wind. Playgrounds, public gardens, and outdoor sports facilities have been closed, the Council announced in a statement. The measure will remain in place until weather conditions improve and safety can be guaranteed. The Council explained that, as of this morning, branches have fallen on a vehicle parked in Reina Sofia Park.