The end of autumn and the beginning of winter will bring to the Balearic Islands unstable weather, with showers, overcast skies and temperatures that will remain low or in slight decline, as reported by the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet). The forecast, detailed by the delegate of the Aemet in the Balearic Islands, María José Guerrero, points to a notable change in the weather coinciding with the arrival of the winter season on December 21.
Showers more likely in Mallorca and the Pitiusas islands
Friday will begin with cloudy intervals that will end up giving way to an overcast sky in the Islands, with the probability of rainfall that could be accompanied by mud, especially in Mallorca and the Pitiusas. The combination of humidity and dense clouds sets the stage for a rainy weekend.
As for temperatures, they will remain unchanged compared to recent days, with highs ranging between 17ºC and 19ºC, still above the usual for mid-December, when the thermometer usually hovers around 16ºC in the archipelago.
Disturbance and yellow warnings for rains
On Saturday, however, the arrival of a new disturbance is expected to cause overcast skies with rain and showers, which in some places could be locally strong and be accompanied by thunderstorms.
For this reason, the Aemet plans to activate yellow warnings for risk of rain in several areas: Serra de Tramuntana, north and northeast of Mallorca, east of Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza and Formentera. This weather situation warns of possible water accumulations that, added to wind and instability, could complicate mobility and outdoor activities.
Slightly decreasing temperatures
Temperatures are expected to remain stable or even decrease slightly. Highs could remain between 15ºC and 17ºC, while lows will be between 7ºC and 12ºC. As a reference, the Aemet recalls that the normal for this time of year in the Balearic Islands is that the minimum temperatures are around 7ºC.
The thermal decrease will be more evident during the course of the weekend and especially from Monday onwards, when more typically wintry days are expected.
Temporary improvement and new rains
On Sunday, the day when winter officially begins, a temporary improvement of the weather is expected in the central hours of the day in the Balearic Islands, which will allow intervals of less cloudiness. However, stability will be short-lived.
During the early morning could register some rains, which may return at night and continue into Monday and Tuesday. For Monday, the Aemet even warns of the possibility of precipitation in the form of hail, and snow on the peaks above 1,000 meters, unusual conditions in the islands but possible in elevated areas under cold currents.
On Tuesday, although the trough will continue to affect the archipelago, the weather is expected to improve in the Pitiusas, slightly softening the conditions in those islands.
Generalized drop in temperatures
In addition to atmospheric instability, temperatures will suffer a more marked drop starting Monday, leading to cold winter days. Highs will be between 12ºC and 15ºC, while lows could range between 4ºC and 9ºC.
This thermal change will imply a general feeling of cold more typical of the winter season and could influence the way in which the inhabitants and visitors of the Balearic Islands plan their activities, especially outdoors.
What to expect for the beginning of winter?
With the official start of winter on December 21, the Balearic Islands will experience a transition marked by instability: showers, mud, below normal temperatures and a colder environment. The Aemet continues to monitor the situation to adjust its warnings and recommendations.
In summary, the next few days in the Balearic Islands will be dominated by overcast skies, intermittent rain, risk of thunderstorms and a drop in thermometers, accompanied by possible winter phenomena in high areas and atmospheric conditions typical of a significant change of season.
This forecast invites the population to plan their trips with caution, wear appropriate clothing for the cold and keep informed about the evolution of the weather, especially during the weekend and the beginning of next week. With the arrival of winter, the archipelago will experience a period of harsher weather than usual for this time of year, although without major anomalies with respect to the weather calendar.
