Weather in Spain: Hurricane alert issued in popular holiday destination as 'very strong winds' and rain forecast
Spain’s weather agency has issued a hurricane alert as “very strong winds” are forecast.
The entire Balearic island has been placed on an orange alert today (Wednesday 4 September) by the state weather agency Aemet. It has warned of “very strong winds” caused by storms of around 55mph to 75mph, adding that there is a possibility of there being hurricane winds.
According to the Beaufort Scale, used to classify winds around the world, sustained winds of over 75mph are classed as hurricane force. They are said to pose a risk of “considerable and widespread damage to structures.”
Mallorca is also on an orange alert for rainfall today. According to Aemet, up to 50mm could fall per square metre, rising to 90mm in some areas.
It comes after heavy rain and storms have hit Spain over recent weeks. Much of the Valencia coast and parts of Alicante have saw the heavens open. Alarge tornado passed through Castellón in eastern Spain last month.
Local weather agency MeteoStorms said it believed the tornado was caused by a supercell. Supercells are intense thunderstorms which are characterised by a rotating updraft. They often cause tornados, in addition to hail and powerful winds. José Arenes, the mayor of a town in the region called El Toro told local media the tornado "surprised us all" but that it seemed there was "no major damage" caused.