It will be a hot start to the season in Mallorca

The most recent El Niño and La Niña events, which occurred in 2023 and 2024, were some of the strongest on record, with unprecedented global temperature peaks. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) now shares its El Niño and La Niña season forecasts with the international community so that countries can take measures to mitigate their effects. climate sensitive sectors such as agriculture, health, energy, and water management. Tourism is also affected by the challenges of climate change.

Tourists from Germany and the UK they have warned the Balearic government of a drop in bookings due to summer heat waves. The German Association of Travel and Tourism Organizations (DRV) reported a “loss of comfort” among consumers who visited the islands in July and August 2025. The UK’s Association of Administrative Standards and Tourists (ABTA) also reported a trend towards what they call “cool places.”

With the aim of dealing with climate risks based on scientific evidence, the Center for the Monitoring of Natural Hazards and Climate Emergencies (RiscBal) was established in the Balearics. Meteorologist Miquel Tomàs Burguera is the head of the Analysis Department. I am an expert at droughts and heat waves.

The RiscBal team is working to include some moisture in the analysis of heat waves in the Balearics, to change weather warnings and actual conditions in the area. They also measure and process temperature data in the most populated areas of the islands with the aim of implementing an early warning system for residents, similar to the existing system for flood hazards and being developed for gravity events such as rockslides and landslides.

“Living in Mallorca, relative humidity is another factor to consider because it affects the perceived temperature.” The State Meteorological Agency issues yellow warnings for summer high temperatures of 36°C or more, orange warnings for high temperatures of 39°C, and red warnings for extreme high temperatures. 42°Cbut we include two additional indices related to relative humidity. We do this because its effect on day and night temperatures has been scientifically proven, and this, has an effect on people’s lives. “Those with pre-existing health conditions are the most affected, and serious conditions can arise,” explained Tomàs.

The expert stressed the need for a network of climate shelters in the Balearics region prepared to accommodate the most vulnerable people who need ventilation during heat waves. Gradually, local councils are including these areas in their emergency plans. Inca is one of the municipalities that has made great progress in this regard, although the Ministry of Commerce has created different support mechanisms that municipalities and local organizations throughout the islands can access to create their own networks. The latest was established last week at the Son Oliva public school in Palma.

Inca has finalized the list of climate protection areas in the city and is finalizing their signage. These are buildings and public spaces that will remain open to provide sun protection and water supply. Inca also has its own network of weather monitoring stations, which are already operational. “From here, we are creating an early warning network that is already working.”
“The last time it was activated was on March 19 during the yellow wind warning,” explains Bernat Barceló, Environmental Specialist of the Council of the City of Inca. Inca also has a Tree Management Plan aimed at meeting the city’s shade needs within the municipal action plan and uses methods.

Romualdo Romero, Professor of Atmospheric Physics at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), told the Bulletin, “We cannot change or stop the effect of climate change and global warming, but what we can do and what we must do is to try to reduce it, to slow it down. global warming at 3ºC.

Greenhouse gases are very stable and will remain for a long time. cool down. A lot of damage has already been done, and now it’s just a matter of not going overboard with irreversible consequences. And this is where measures must be taken, to avoid taking out more than we are already doing.

He said: “Actually, nowhere in the world is the temperature going down and that’s one of the main problems. Unpredictable warming is happening all over the world, especially in the northern part of the world and at high altitudes. Mediterranean it is an area that is experiencing an increase in temperature above the global average: in the last 30 years it has risen by almost two degrees, and the area is expected to become drier.” The signs of climate change are clear, the warning signs are clear, we are seeing a long drought in southern Europe, the concern about water resources is increasing, even here in the Balearics.