The Mediterranean island of Ibiza was placed on orange weather alert on Thursday, August 20, 2026, as forecasters warned of an approaching squall capable of producing severe storms, intense rainfall, and wind gusts reaching 100 kilometres per hour.
Spain's State Meteorological Agency, known as Aemet, issued the orange alert for both Ibiza and the neighboring island of Formentera between 6:00 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. Weather officials warned that the convective storm system could dump up to 40 litres of rain per square metre within a single hour.
Emergency services reported that gale-force winds represent the primary threat during the meteorological event. Sustained storm gusts are expected to range between 70 and 90 km/h across the area, with peak localized gusts reaching up to 100 km/h on Ibiza.
Meteorologists expect the squall line to enter Ibiza at approximately 9:00 p.m. before tracking eastward toward Mallorca by 11:00 p.m. and subsequently reaching Menorca. By 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, regional emergency services had already recorded nine incidents across the Balearic Islands caused by fallen trees, though no severe injuries or major structural damage were reported.
Unusually hot overnight temperatures
The incoming storm system follows an unusually oppressive night across the Pityusic Islands, the southwestern group of the Balearic archipelago. Overnight minimum temperatures failed to drop below 30 degrees Celsius in Sant Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza town, and Formentera, according to Aemet records published by local news portal Noudiari.
At Ibiza airport and in the northern municipality of Sant Joan de Labritja, overnight temperatures registered a minimum of 29 degrees Celsius. High humidity and heat persisted throughout Thursday daytime, with temperatures climbing toward 38 degrees Celsius prior to the arrival of the squall line.
Conditions along the coastline have also deteriorated. Aemet maintained a yellow alert for coastal phenomena across Ibiza and Formentera, warning of southwesterly winds capable of exceeding 80 km/h and producing hazardous sea conditions.
Emergency services and maritime precautions
Local authorities have reinforced emergency personnel across Ibiza to handle potential storm damage. Firefighters increased active duty crews on the island, and the Ibiza Town Council officially activated its municipal emergency response plan.
The Balearic Nature Institute, known as Ibanat, deployed 25 additional personnel to reinforce forest and emergency crews across the island group. At sea, several vessels experienced difficulties returning to port due to rough waters, leading maritime officials to urge all boat operators to strictly obey guidance from Spain's Maritime Rescue agency, Salvamento Marítimo.
Weather forecast for Friday
Atmospheric instability is expected to continue into Friday, August 21, although alert levels will decrease. Ibiza and Formentera will remain under a yellow weather alert for rain, with expected accumulations of up to 20 litres per square metre in one hour.
Coastal warnings for rough seas and strong winds will remain in effect through the early morning hours of Friday before conditions gradually stabilize.
