Thunderstorms bring relief: Mallorca breathes after weeks of heat

Thunderstorms bring relief: Mallorca breathes after weeks of heat

The sky that had lain over the island like a blazing lid for many days finally broke open early on Sunday — but not without a noisy announcement. Thunderstorms moved in from the southwest, accompanied by lightning and thunder; on some streets the air suddenly smelled of wet asphalt, and shop owners on Passeig Mallorca rubbed their foreheads in relief. AEMET had earlier issued an orange warning for parts of the island.

The effect was practically visible: after days with temperatures around or above 40 °C, thermometers on Sunday showed only 31 °C as the high. For many people on Mallorca this meant the first night with noticeable cooling in weeks — nightly temperatures are expected to fall to about 21–22 °C in the coming days. For older neighbors in the courtyards of Palma or for craftsmen taking a morning break at the Plaça Major, this is a real gift.

A short, heavy shower caught the Sóller valley in the morning, leaving streets shining and cats on balconies startled. The downpours moved on quickly; nevertheless, AEMET warns to remain cautious, as storms can be locally severe. Airport operator AENA Palma airport reported weather-related delays at Palma airport and noted that air traffic was regulated — but it was not a widespread state of emergency.

The cooling, however, has its own pitfalls: the sea warmed significantly in recent weeks and has reached around 30 °C in places; such temperatures may initially feel pleasantly warm for swimmers but carry risks when storms approach. Authorities advise keeping away from the coast during an active warning and following beach safety advice.

The past heat was particularly intense in the island's interior. Stations still registered 37.2 °C in Manacor, 36.7 °C in Binissalem and 36.4 °C in Sa Pobla on Saturday; on the coast it remained comparatively moderate with 32.7 °C at Cap Blanc near Llucmajor. In the street cafés of Cala Major, weekend guests ordered a large coffee early in the morning and withdrew indoors by midday — a small, everyday adaptation to extreme heat.

The large-scale weather pattern will remain stable for the coming days: AEMET expects moderate maximums around 31–32 °C at least through Thursday, without significant precipitation. That means the acute phase of the heat is over, nights are finally bringing bearable temperatures again, and air conditioners in many households can take a well-deserved break. A welcome relief for both power consumption and comfort.

The scene on the beach changed within hours: where towels and umbrellas lay during the day, you could now hear the patter of raindrops and occasional thunder. Strollers on the Paseo Marítimo enjoyed the freshly washed air, children splashed in puddles by the side streets, and small bars filled once more with relaxed chatter instead of stressed phone calls.

Practically speaking: anyone out and about in the next few days should carry a light jacket or thin wrap — the evenings are noticeably more pleasant — and beachgoers should take thunderstorm warnings seriously. For agriculture the relief may be welcome in the short term; in the long run the challenge remains to cope with more frequent heat episodes. Data from the Copernicus Marine Service sea surface temperature data show the recent warming trends in the region.

All in all: the heavy thunderstorms have given Mallorca a powerful blast of fresh air. It is not yet "cool", but the island can breathe deeply again — and neighbors on the Plaça are discussing once more with windows open instead of sitting by stuffy fans.