The Aemet has activated an orange alert in the Serra de Tramuntana and a yellow alert in the rest of Mallorca for temperatures of up to 40 degrees. The heat will persist for several days, with sultry nights and a feeling of mugginess.
The thermometer shows no mercy. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has activated for this Saturday the orange alert for extreme heat in the Serra de Tramuntana, while the rest of Mallorca will be under a yellow warning. The epicentre of the heat is located in Sóller, where temperatures could reach 40 degrees.
An African Air Mass Drives Up Temperatures
According to Aemet, this rise is due to a very warm air mass from North Africa, which has combined with the dominance of high pressures. This causes temperatures to soar well above the usual values for July.
In coastal areas, humidity will add to the feeling of mugginess, especially in the late afternoon and during the night. Residents of the capital and coastal municipalities will notice a heavy atmosphere that will hinder rest.
High Clouds That Offer No Relief from the Heat
Although the forecast includes the presence of medium and high clouds over the Balearics, these will not bring a significant drop in temperatures. The sky may be overcast at times, but the heat will remain the undeniable protagonist of the day.
Aemet warns that the atmosphere will be dry inland, but along the coast, the mugginess will be felt strongly. Those planning a trip to the beach should take extra precautions and seek shade during the peak hours of the day.
Tropical Nights with No Thermal Relief
The heat will not relent even after sunset. Aemet forecasts very high minimums across the island, translating to tropical nights where temperatures will hardly drop below 25 degrees. In urban and coastal areas, the asphalt and humidity will keep temperatures elevated for much of the early morning.
The combination of heat and humidity will reduce the hours of thermal relief, so experts recommend keeping windows closed during the day and ventilating only early in the morning or late at night.
On Sunday, Yellow Warning in the Interior and South of Mallorca
Heat will continue on Sunday, July 19, although the distribution of warnings will change. Aemet has announced that it will activate the yellow warning in the Serra de Tramuntana, the interior, and the south of Mallorca for maximum temperatures of up to 38 degrees. The Serra will thus change from orange to yellow, but the heat will remain intense.
No warnings will be active for maximum temperatures in the rest of the island, according to the current forecast from the agency. However, this does not mean it will be cool: maximums will hover around 35 degrees in many areas.
The Heat Is Here to Stay: It Will Persist for the Coming Days
Aemet warns that the heat will not be a fleeting phenomenon. Temperatures will remain above normal for the coming days, with values staying elevated even into the next week. Weather models indicate that the warm African air mass could linger over the Balearics for several more days.
In light of this situation, emergency services recommend staying hydrated, avoiding sun exposure during peak hours, and paying special attention to the elderly, children, and those with chronic illnesses. In Sóller, where the peak of heat is expected, residents are already preparing for a hellish day.
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