Short showers, great relief: Mallorca breathes easy

A short rain, big relief

The cicadas had been almost impossible to ignore in recent days, the ice-cream vendor on the Passeig Mallorca suddenly wore a sweatband, and even tourists sought the shade of the plane tree at the Plaça de Cort. Now rain is finally forecast for Thursday — not a lasting storm, but a welcome cooling that lets Mallorca breathe deeply again, as explained in Mild interlude — then rain: Atlantic low brings fresh air to Mallorca.

What changes — measurable and noticeable

Models show a weak low over the western Mediterranean, according to the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) forecasts. Result: local showers, occasional heavier downpours and more clouds than in recent weeks. The wind, which usually only blew warm along the promenade, can pick up and push temperatures down by a few degrees. Meteorologically this means: on Friday, highs are likely to be around 29 °C — a climate that immediately feels more like holiday than sauna.

Nights will also be more pleasant. With 20 to 21 °C, people can finally sleep without the constant hum of air conditioning. Instead you might hear the rustle of the palms and distant church bells — very Mallorcan, very soothing. For many residents of Palma, two or three nights without constant cooling are now a small luxury, as noted in Rain break: Mallorca breathes — late summer returns.

Where it helps — and where not so much

Regional differences remain. The island's interior, such as Llucmajor or Binissalem, was hottest recently; there the drops will be especially welcome after Mallorca swelters once more: Short heatwave brings late-summer warmth. On the coast the sea breeze has often already brought relief, and in Port de Pollença people breathe differently than in the concrete-dominated city centre. But the low doesn't bring rain everywhere at the same time: the east and south may benefit later or more weakly.

For balcony owners it's almost a celebration: the daisies, herbs and little olive trees will enjoy the extra moisture — and some neighbour who wrestled with buckets and watering cans can spend the evening on her balcony instead of at the hardware store. Slightly ironically: even the terracotta pots sigh with relief.

No farewell to summer

Those already ready to bury summer can relax: this is just a short pause. Mallorca often shows a number of hot days above 30 °C in late summer; the return to warm days was seen when Mallorca Switches to Summer Mode: Calm After the Weather Drama. The sea remains warm — sea temperature data for the Balearic Islands show record readings in some July measurements meant bathing water that felt more like a warm soup than fresh Mediterranean sea. For swimmers and divers little changes: the water still invites you to linger.

Everyday tips for the coming days: pack a small umbrella, schedule outdoor dinners a bit later and make the terrace cosy with a few candles in case the wind picks up. Hosts can look forward to two or three nights without the air conditioner — and that's worth its weight in gold in a hot week.

After a short shower the asphalt in Palma's alleys smells fresh; from the cafés the clinking of ice cubes mixes with the chatter of the tables. Fishermen in the harbour may haul their nets in muted light, dogs shake themselves and run relieved with wet fur through the streets. These small scenes show: rain in Mallorca is not a nuisance but a fleeting gift.

My tip: The best photo light often follows the rain: clear air, saturated colours. So have your camera ready — and keep your eyes open. I'll report back if the forecast changes. Until then: enjoy the short weather break and rest well.