Mallorca, also spelt Majorca, enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers and mild winters. The island is mountainous and this gives rise to varying climatic conditions according to location: the prevailing winds come from the northwest so southeast regions are generally warmer and drier. Northwest regions and the mountains receive the highest levels of rain, though this is never particularly high. Coastal regions receive around 300 days of sunshine per year. Higher altitudes always experience cooler temperatures.
Mallorca sits in the Mediterranean Sea, south of mainland Spain and north of Africa.
Summer, from June till September, is hot with low rainfall and plenty of sunshine. At the beginning of the season the average high temperature is already very hot at 27°C. It then rises to 30°C, the peak of the heat, in July and August, before getting back down to 27°C in September. Sunbathers will find great relief in the embat, a local wind that is created by heat rising from the island, drawing cooler air in from the sea. While humidity is low and coastal areas usually receive a cooling breeze, the heat can be a little uncomfortable. On still, sunny days the temperature can spike into the high 30s. If you choose to visit in this kind of heat it is advisable to copy the locals and take a siesta during the hottest part of the day. The sea temperature gets up to 25°C and the peak months can expect eleven hours of sunshine per day.
Autumn, in October and November, is warm but wet yet still sunny. This is a great time to go to avoid the crowds; October is still warm enough for lounging on the beach with an average high of 23°C, though night times are cool at an average low of 12°C. November, with an average high of 18°C, is too cool for sunbathing but still pleasantly warm. November nights can be very chilly, however, at an average of 8°C. The sea remains warm enough for swimming till the end of the season. October is the wettest month in the year but the fact that each day still receives seven hours of sunshine on average shows that rainfall is concentrated in heavy showers and dismal, grey conditions rarely prevail for an extended period.
Winter, from December till February, is exceedingly mild and very bright for winter in the northern hemisphere. The average high temperature is at its lowest in January at 14°C. In December and February day times usually get up to around 15°C. Night times see average lows around 4°C and it can get down to freezing. Up in the mountains snow is common but it rarely settles in the lowlands. Rain reduces as the season progresses though showers are quite common. Sunshine levels get down to five hours per day in December and January but get back up to seven in February. These conditions may not sound attractive, but when considered in comparison to December in London â" 7°C average high, one hour of sunshine â" you can understand why Mallorca is considered a year round holiday destination. At this time of year blazing sunshine and heat in the high teens sometimes develops but bikini weather is not likely. Winter is a good time to visit for walking holidays.
Spring, from March till May, is warm with low rainfall. The average high temperature climbs to 16°C in March, 18°C in April and 22°C in May. By mid April day time highs around 20°C are quite common, though it can be a little unpredictable. Night time temperatures remain cool for the whole season so a jumper and a jacket are essential. Sunshine levels get up to nine hours per day in April. Rainfall is moderate, decreasing to an almost negligible amount in May. As in autumn, temperatures are pleasant and the crowds are thinner. Spring is sunnier than autumn but the spring sea is too cold for swimming.
Mallorca benefits from its southerly location in the Mediterranean Sea. Hot summers and mild winters are a result of its proximity to the equator. The surrounding waters make sure real extremes of temperature are avoided at any time. However, sitting just above Northern Africa, Mallorca is in the path of the hot, dry sirocco wind. This usually just affects the southern coast where it can push temperatures into the low 40s. If sand-bearing the sirocco can also drop dust on its path and fill the sky with a haze.
Weather Hazards
Autumnal weather in Mallorca, particular in October, can be severe, experiencing everything from flash flooding, to extreme hail storms, to tornadoes.
From September through to December, Mallorca is subject to heavy rain fall that can lead to flash flooding.
This is at its worst in October, which is peak thunderstorm month.
Torrential rain over the mountains can result in flash flooding along the coastline three to four hours later.
These storms usually only occur for 2-3 hours in the afternoon though, with the rest of the day experiencing pleasant weather.
Make sure that your accommodation is not in a region that will be affected by flash flooding. Equally important, never camp in an empty stream: if flash flooding does occur, you wonât be able to vacate the area quickly enough.
Hail storms can occur between March and April and November and December. They tend to occur after 3pm and can cause significant damage to cars. However, heavy rain is more common. The easiest way to tell whether you will see hail is by looking at the colour of the clouds: a greenish tinge will be a sign of hail.
Hail storms can also be a precursor to tornadoes in September and October. Mallorca will usually experience around 5-6 tornadoes a year. 30% of these are considered to be strong (113-180km/hr), however, the weaker ones can still cause damage due to the wind speeds (80-112km/hr).
