Yesterday was the meteorological start of Summer. Here in Mallorca, one wouldn’t believe it. For some strange reason or other, it is not unusual for Mallorca that heavy, monsoon-like, torrential rainfall would occur at this time of year, a phenomenon known here as Tromba de Agua (Catalan: Aiguat). Two days ago, Palma and some of its suburbs recorded intense rain of up to 62 litres per square metre in only one hour in Son Ferriol, up to 30 litres in Marratxí and 25 litres in the area of Porto Pi. At the meteorological station of Porto Pi, the precipitation amounted to 6.5 litres within barely 10 minutes, indicating some extraordinary weather activity indeed. Metro services had to be suspended for up to one hour in some areas of central Palma. Yellow weather alert had to be raised yesterday for the airport of Palma as well. Heavy lightning with over 100 rays was recorded on the outskirts of Palma. The torrential Tromba rain came with a significant drop in temperatures, from an unusually high 28.5° C on Monday to 24° C on Tuesday. Elsewhere, the port of Maó (Mahón) was closed for six hours in Menorca, and some ferry crossing had to be cancelled between Alcúdia and Ciutadella (Menorca), as well as between Menorca and Barcelona.

According to AEMet (the Spanish National Meteorological Agency), there should be somewhat less rain today, but the forecast for tomorrow, Friday, and for all of this weekend predicts more heavy torrential rain locally, together with cold air and strong northerly winds for the Illes Balears, with more likely Trombas de Agua in some places. The yellow alert will be in place for today and tomorrow for all of Mallorca and in particular, for coastal areas. The beginning of Summer will have to wait until next week.

Please, do not confuse the Tromba de Agua with the Gota Fría, a quite different meteorological phenomenon usually occurring at the end of Summer.

The photos were borrowed from the Internet, courtesy of diariodemallorca.es and the photographer, Miquel Massuti.

Muchas gracias.