A dense fog has covered Palma and the bay early on Thursday, reducing visibility and causing delays at the airport. The phenomenon, unusual in July, contrasts with the orange alert for temperatures of up to 41 degrees.
The city of Palma woke up on Thursday enveloped in a dense fog that covered much of the bay and coastline, leaving scenes more typical of autumn than summer. The phenomenon, known as summer fog, reduced visibility early on and caused delays of up to two hours in operations at Palma airport, according to Aena.
The fog formed due to a combination of high humidity, the nighttime cooling of the lower air layers, and the absence of wind. In the bay of Palma, these conditions are relatively common in summer, although they are not usually this intense. The fog banks began to dissipate with the sunrise, but left stunning images in areas like the Ciutat Jardí promenade.
Delays at Palma Airport Due to Fog
Palma airport has been one of the most affected points by the fog. According to Aena, the delays affect both arriving and departing flights, and in some cases exceed two hours. The reduced visibility has forced operations to slow down, although the situation tends to normalise as the fog dissipates.
For passengers who were scheduled to fly this morning, the recommendation is to check the status of their flight with the airline before heading to the airport. The fog coincided with a day of extreme heat, creating an atypical morning in the Balearic capital.
Orange Alert for Extreme Heat
Once the fog disappears, the weather will give way to another day of extreme temperatures. The State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has issued an orange warning for high temperatures in southern Mallorca between 12:00 and 19:00. In the interior of the island, thermometers could reach 41 degrees, while in the Serra de Tramuntana the warning is yellow.
Nights are also proving difficult. In coastal areas, minimum temperatures have not dropped below 25 degrees, constituting a sweltering night. In the rest of Mallorca, minimums have remained above 20 degrees, values typical of a tropical night. For Palma residents, this means that nighttime relief is scarce and heat accumulates in buildings.
Forecasts indicate that the situation will hardly change in the coming days. Skies will remain mostly clear or sunny, and temperatures will continue to be exceptionally high throughout Friday and the weekend. Although a slight decrease in maximums is expected, the atmosphere will remain very hot.
Recommendations for Coping with the Heat
In light of these conditions, authorities recommend avoiding sun exposure during the hottest hours of the day, staying hydrated frequently, and taking extra precautions with those most vulnerable to heat, such as children and the elderly. It is also important not to leave anyone inside a parked vehicle, even for a short time.
For residents in Palma, the combination of morning fog and extreme heat in the afternoon has been a meteorological rarity that has broken the monotony of summer. While tourists were surprised by photos of the fog, locals were already preparing for another day of sweltering heat. However, there was some relief in knowing that, at least for a few hours, the city looked like a scene from a mystery movie.
Aemet predicts that the heat episode will last at least until Sunday. Starting Monday, a change in weather could bring in sea breezes that might relieve the atmosphere, although there are currently no certainties. What is certain is that the fog this Thursday will be remembered as one of the most curious sights of summer in Palma.
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