A severe winter storm has struck a popular Spanish island frequented by British vacationers, causing heavy snowfall and huge waves crashing against its shores.
Residents and tourists sought shelter from an unexpected hailstorm that brought extreme weather conditions to Majorca, prompting a weather warning for the area. Tourist destinations on the island were transformed into a winter wonderland as snow covered the Balearic island amidst frigid temperatures. The Spanish meteorological agency AEMET issued an orange weather alert on Thursday, advising caution to residents and visitors due to the potential for harsh weather conditions in the holiday destination.
AEMET cautioned, “Stay alert and monitor the latest weather updates regularly.”
The agency also emphasized the need for caution, particularly along the beaches and coastline, as 40-foot waves were forecasted to hit the eastern part of Majorca. AEMET further warned, “There is a risk of harm to individuals and property, especially those in vulnerable or exposed areas.”
The storm brought fierce 90kmph winds, expected to persist throughout the day. Additionally, the unexpected winter storm blanketed the island with snow on Wednesday, following the hailstorm.
Images revealed the sizable hailstones pelting the island, with witnesses comparing them to the size of walnuts.
Yellow weather warnings were issued across Majorca, with meteorologists predicting the most severe weather conditions to occur on the following day.
Across southern Europe, a winter storm caused a significant drop in temperatures in the typically mild region, potentially contributing to the unusual weather phenomenon in Majorca.
Weather alerts were also issued on the Spanish mainland, with heavy snowfall anticipated in locations like Santander, Bilbao, and the Cantabrian Mountains, where up to 25cm of snowfall was expected within a day.
Inland mountain areas near Santander were on high alert for around 20cm of snow, while several regions near Navarre and northern La Rioja could receive up to 10cm. Even the typically temperate inland region near San Sebastián was projected to experience approximately 5cm of snow as colder air swept over the northern coast.
Meanwhile, residents in the UK were warned of potential heavy rain and snowfall as a storm system approached the country, with some areas expecting up to 10cm of snow accumulation.
Weather forecasts indicated that the wintry weather would reach the UK during the early hours of December 4, with rain expected in various regions and significant snowfall predicted for central and northern Scotland.
Maps for December 5 hinted at snowfall in England, starting in the Yorkshire Dales and Pennines before spreading throughout the day. Cities such as Manchester, Leeds, and Sheffield could also see snowfall around 3 pm on that Friday.