22/06/2004 00:00
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by Staff Reporter
YESTERDAY was the first day of summer and the beaches were crowded, but according to weatherman Agustí Jansà, it is unlikely to be as hot as last year, when temperatures in June, July and August were four degrees higher than the average of the last 30 years.

Jansà said that although the start of the summer solstice has not been accompanied by a big increase in temperatures in the Balearics, there will be heat waves, but they will not reach the record temperatures set last summer.

HEAT WAVE
He predicted that the temperatures will rise steadily over the next few days and the first heat wave can be expected shortly.
Yesterday's temperatures were better than the previous week, but the month of June so far has been much milder than last year.
Jansà said that June is characterised by periods of rainfall, adding that the end of the spring was much wetter than usual.
In fact, May proved to be the coldest in Majorca since 1985, and rainfall was above average.
The May temperatures were between one and 1.5 degrees lower than usual, which Jansà described as “important.”

ATYPICAL
But although the weather was “atypical” it was by no means exceptional, even though it did rain more than usual -rainfall in Lluc monastery was three times heavier than usual.

Jansà also said that if May this year has been colder and wetter than average, May next year could be hot and dry. “There is no such thing as a typical May.” The May rainfall did a lot to restore Majorca's underground water tables, which had been badly hit by several years of drought.
But the rainy season is now ending, and we could be in for another period of drought, Jansà said.
However, the authorities report that supplies are guaranteed for the summer, although they continue to urge people not to waste water.
The weatherman said that the climate is getting hotter, and explained that last year's heat was an indication of climatic change.
He added that in 50 years time summers will be like last year, with continuous periods of heat throughout the three months because of the change in climate which is now occurring.

The prediction for today is mainly clear skies with intervals of high cloud, a slight increase in temperatures and light south easterly winds and breezes.

ELECTRICITY
Last year's heat waves led to a record consumption of electricity and an increase in the sale of air conditioners.
The record for consumption was broken three times in as many days last June, topping 834 megawatts and production reached 1'000 megawatts for the first time in history.

Visitors to the island should take precautions to avoid sunburn and sunstroke.
Barrier creams are essential, and people should stay out of the direct sun at the hottest times of day and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration.