Climate - Majorca (Balearic Islands)

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The climate of Majorca (or Mallorca), the largest of the Balearic Islands, is Mediterranean, with mild winters and hot, sunny summers, which are a bit sultry but tempered by sea breezes.
In Palma, the largest city, the average temperature ranges from 10°C (50 °F) in January and February to 25.5 °C (78 °F) in August. Here are the average temperatures.

Rainfall, at least at sea level, is not abundant, since it amounts to about 400 millimeters (16 inches) per year, and follows the Mediterranean pattern, so it's more common in autumn and winter, it gradually decreases during spring, and reaches a minimum in summer, when it almost never rains. Here is the average precipitation.

In the northern part, the island is occupied by a mountain range, called Sierra de Tramontana, whose highest peak is Puig Major, 1,445 meters (4,741 feet) high. These mountains, which overlook the sea, have a colder climate because of altitude, and in winter, they can be covered with snow. In addition, they are more windy, and receive higher precipitation, up to 1,200 mm (47 in) per year, so they are also greener, and not by accident, they are covered with forests.
Majorca is a quite windy island, especially from October to April. However, the mountains to the north partially protect the plain from the north wind ("tramontana") that blows from France, creating a cold and humid microclimate in winter, compared to the other islands belonging to the Balearic archipelago.

South of Mallorca, we find the small archipelago of Cabrera, made up of small islands and islets, which are protected in the national maritime-terrestrial park of the same name.



Winter, from December to February, is mild, with many sunny days, but also with periods of rain and wind.
On clear nights, it can get quite cold, and the temperature can approach the freezing point. Sometimes, there can be cold and windy days, with highs below 10 °C (50 °F), which can be followed by light frosts, with night temperatures a few degrees below freezing.
However, even if the temperature is not very low, the humidity increases the feeling of cold, also because old houses are not well heated and thermally insulated.
In Palma, the record cold, -6 °C (21 °F), was recorded in January 1985. More recently, the temperature dropped to -4.5 °C (24 °F) in February 2012.
Snowfalls in Mallorca are very rare, at least at sea level. Sometimes it can snow at the Lluc sanctuary, located in the northern mountains at 500 meters (1,650 feet) above sea level. Even more rarely, it can snow in Fornalutx, on the north side of the Sierra de Tramontana, at 140 meters (460 ft) above sea level.
In January 1985, the month of the record cold, it snowed a lot but only in the northern half of the island. In January 1999, it snowed in the east of the island (see Manacor, Felanitx), and a few flakes were also seen in Palma.
In Palma, after the 1956 snowfall that affected the whole island, a light white blanket formed in February 1983, January 2005 and February 2012.

Summer, from June to mid-September, is hot and sunny, with rare thundershowers.
The humidity increases the feeling of mugginess, but the breeze gives some relief. There can be very hot periods, which generally last a few days, in which the temperature reaches 37/38 °C (99/100 °F).
The highest record is 41.5 °C (106.5 °F) and was recorded in June 2001. In addition, the temperature reached 40.5 °C (105 °F) in July 1983 and in July 2020.

The amount of sunshine in Majorca is not very good in winter, when Atlantic or Mediterranean depressions can affect the island, however, there is a moderate amount of sunny days even in this period. Spring is a sunny season, especially in May. The sunniest period is from June to August, when sunny days are the norm. In September, the first Atlantic disturbances can reach the island, so, the sun in autumn is not always guaranteed.
On average, there are 2,750 hours of sunshine per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.



The sea in Majorca is warm enough for swimming from July to September, while in June and October it is quite cool. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to visit Majorca for a beach holiday is the summer, from June to mid-September. The water temperature is comfortable enough from July to September, although in September, which overall is still a good month (especially in the first half), the first periods of bad weather may occur. June is a sunny month, but the sea is still a bit cool; in May, the sea is cold, and sometimes the air can be a bit cold as well, especially in the first half of the month.

April and May are suitable to visit the island and its cities; summer is the best season for hiking in the mountains, while sometimes it can be too hot for hiking and visiting the cities of the plain. In October, the temperatures are mild, but the days are shorter and the weather can be rainy and windy.

Majorca - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Majorca is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9,9 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 4,3 °C (39,8 °F) and a maximum of 15,5 °C (59,9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, it dropped to -4 °C (24,8 °F) in January 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19,5 °C (67 °F). However, it reached 22 °C (71,6 °F) in January 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1,4 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 5,5 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Majorca is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10,0 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 4,3 °C (39,7 °F) and a maximum of 15,6 °C (60,1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, it dropped to -4,4 °C (24,1 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (68 °F). However, it reached 23 °C (73,4 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1,2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 6 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Majorca is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11,8 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 5,8 °C (42,5 °F) and a maximum of 17,8 °C (64,1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32 °F). However, it dropped to -2,8 °C (27 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73 °F). However, it reached 28,6 °C (83,5 °F) in March 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1,2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6,5 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Majorca is usually mild. The average temperature is of 14,3 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 8,2 °C (46,8 °F) and a maximum of 20,4 °C (68,7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2,5 °C (36,5 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in April 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25,5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 30,1 °C (86,2 °F) in April 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1,4 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Majorca is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 18,0 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 11,8 °C (53,3 °F) and a maximum of 24,2 °C (75,6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 3,4 °C (38,1 °F) in May 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86 °F). However, it reached 34,2 °C (93,6 °F) in May 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 9 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62,5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Majorca is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22,2 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 15,9 °C (60,7 °F) and a maximum of 28,5 °C (83,3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11,5 °C (52,5 °F). However, it dropped to 8 °C (46,4 °F) in June 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34,5 °C (94,5 °F). However, it reached 41,4 °C (106,5 °F) in June 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0,6 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 55 minutes. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 10,5 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 71% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21 °C (70 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In July, the weather in Majorca is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 25,1 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 18,8 °C (65,9 °F) and a maximum of 31,4 °C (88,6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14,5 °C (58,5 °F). However, it dropped to 11,6 °C (52,9 °F) in July 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (99 °F). However, it reached 41 °C (105,8 °F) in July 2020.
Precipitation amounts to only 7 mm (0,3 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 11 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 76% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In August, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Majorca is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 25,6 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 19,6 °C (67,2 °F) and a maximum of 31,6 °C (88,9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15,5 °C (60 °F). However, it dropped to 11 °C (51,8 °F) in August 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (98,5 °F). However, it reached 40,2 °C (104,4 °F) in August 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 16 mm (0,6 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 10 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Majorca is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22,4 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 16,8 °C (62,3 °F) and a maximum of 28 °C (82,5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11,5 °C (52,5 °F). However, it dropped to 7,6 °C (45,7 °F) in September 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32,5 °C (91 °F). However, it reached 38,2 °C (100,8 °F) in September 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7,5 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Majorca is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18,7 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 13,4 °C (56 °F) and a maximum of 24,1 °C (75,4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7,5 °C (45,5 °F). However, it dropped to 4 °C (39,2 °F) in October 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84,5 °F). However, it reached 33,6 °C (92,5 °F) in October 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2,8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 6,5 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71,5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Majorca is usually mild. The average temperature is of 14,0 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 8,8 °C (47,8 °F) and a maximum of 19,2 °C (66,6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37,5 °F). However, it dropped to -0,5 °C (31,1 °F) in November 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75 °F). However, it reached 27,2 °C (81 °F) in November 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5,5 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64,5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Majorca is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11,1 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 5,8 °C (42,4 °F) and a maximum of 16,5 °C (61,6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32 °F). However, it dropped to -3 °C (26,6 °F) in December 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20,5 °C (69 °F). However, it reached 23,8 °C (74,8 °F) in December 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1,8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 5 sunshine hours per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.