April-like weather in December: Sun, showers and thunderstorms bring variety to Mallorca

April-like weather in December: Sun, showers and thunderstorms bring variety to Mallorca

From the plaça café to the Tramuntana: Light jacket in the morning, umbrella in the afternoon

December begins in Mallorca with weather reminiscent of fickle spring days: bright spells, short showers and even thunderstorms later. After the warnings issued over the weekend the situation has calmed and AEMET currently reports no active severe weather warnings. That means: the island will see a lot of movement in the sky in the coming days, but without the drama that warning levels sometimes bring.

Anyone strolling along the Passeig Marítim today will see people briefly taking off their jackets when the sun breaks through a gap in the clouds. At the markets in Inca and Santa Catalina vendors sit next to steaming pots of coffee while occasional gusts of wind make the stalls rustle. Such scenes are typical for the coming days: light and warmth alternate with clouds and wet spells.

The mild temperatures will remain for now: Palma and Llucmajor are expected to see around 16 °C, it will be a little warmer in the mountainous area north of Alcúdia and Pollença where up to about 19 °C are possible. Sóller and Alcúdia sit at the upper end of the scale with around 17 °C. For Mallorca this means: good conditions for short trips, beach walks without heavy winter clothes and outdoor work as long as the sky cooperates.

From Tuesday cloud cover will increase and it can become wetter again. Denser cloud fields will bring local showers, especially in the morning. Wednesday will follow a similar pattern: grey periods followed by clearings. The decisive day of the week is Thursday: AEMET expects rain showers up to thunderstorms for large parts of the island, as highlighted in Thunderstorms, Downpours, Cooling and Contrasts: Is Mallorca Ready for Summer Storms? accompanied by a noticeable drop in temperature. Highs will then be closer to the 15 °C mark.

Important for hikers: the snow line will fall in the higher elevations to around 1,300 metres. On Puig Major you should therefore expect wet snow or sleet, which can make paths slippery. Anyone planning a route in the Serra de Tramuntana should check conditions beforehand and wear appropriate footwear.

For islanders and visitors this weather has three positive aspects: the precipitation fills reservoirs and brings moisture for the vegetation, the mild phases still allow outdoor activities, and the variety creates scenes you don't often get in winter. On the Plaça de Cort in Palma, for example, a sudden burst of sunshine often provides a small breather in the street cafés — such moments will occur more frequently this week.

Practical tips: dress in small layers instead of heavy coats, carry a foldable umbrella in your backpack and wear slip-resistant shoes for mountain outings. Drivers should be mindful of wet roads and possible aquaplaning, especially on coastal roads where gusts can reduce visibility. Those who work outdoors should plan with flexible hours or check AEMET warnings at short notice.

Outlook: The weekend brings renewed chances of more sun, as noted in Pre-Christmas Mildness: A Sunny Weekend on Mallorca, but the island remains in a transitional phase. For many Mallorcans this means: a short morning walk without much planning, an afternoon tea indoors if it starts to rain. A slice of everyday life that reveals a bit about the island: changeable, but with good moments in between.

Our advice: Enjoy what you can — and always carry a light jacket. That's currently the best strategy in Mallorca in December.