CYCLONE

By Humphrey Carter A cyclone hit the Balearics yesterday, forcing the port authority to cancel a number of services yesterday with all of the regional fishing fleets opting to remain in port while the Guardia Civil reported 22 traffic accidents. Some flights were delayed because the adverse weather conditions in Barcelona, but worst affected were ferry crossings in and out of the ports of Palma and Alcudia, although a number of crossings between Ibiza and Formentera were delayed by high winds and heavy seas. Strong gusts of up to 40 kilometres per hour forced the high speed catamarans to sit out the gales in Palma and Ibiza. Crossings from Alcudia to Minorca were also disrupted. By early afternoon, the worst of the weather had passed and the Civil Protection department lifted the storm alert in the Balearics although other parts of north east Spain remained on alert as they were hit by heavy rain and serious flooding yesterday afternoon. In Ibiza and Formentera yesterday morning, 30 litres of rain fell in just one hour and over a period of 12 hours, 60 litres of rain was recorded while the islands were buffeted by 80 kilometre per hour winds Minorca was hit by winds peaking at 80 kilometres per hour while parts of Majorca were battered by 100 kilometre per hour gales. An improvement is forecast for today with only a few isolated showers expected in the Balearics. It will, however, be a bit cooler tonight, but day time temperatures will rise slightly. There will be some strong gusts of winds this morning, but the north westerly winds will die down as the day goes on. Sunday morning will be a wet one with storms forecast to return to the islands and a few showers will remain in the region to start the week. The Balearics can also expect some more gale force winds on Monday. On Tuesday, skies will clear and the temperature will climb slightly. The start to Spring in the Balearics this year has been one of the wettest in recent years.