Balearics on weather alert for high winds and heavy rains

PALMA
THE Balearics is one of eight regions which have been put on weather alert because of the risk of high winds, snow and rain.
The Civil Defence and Emergencies Board has issued wind warnings in the Balearics, Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Castilla-Leon, Valencia, Andalucia and Melilla. Castilla-Leon is also on the alert for snow, and Galicia for rain.

According to the weather man, winds will reach speeds of up to 120kph in the Tramontana mountains, north and northeast of Majorca and also in Minorca.
A Balearic government spokesman said that the alert is Level 1, the lowest level, and all the emergency services will be co-ordinated to deal with any incident caused by the weather.

The sea off the islands is also expected to be rough today, the spokesman said.
Heavy rain can be expected tomorrow, ranging from 20 litres per square metre in an hour to 60 litres in both Majorca and Minorca.
Temperatures are expected to drop considerably during the day, particularly towards evening.
Winds in Galicia will be up to 120kph in La Coruña and Lugo and the rain could be as intense as 30 litres per square metre in an hour, the weather man said.

In Asturias, the winds are expected to reach 100 kph in the coastal areas and 90kph in the mining valleys. Cantabria is also expecting winds of 90-100 kph.

Winds of up to 90kph are expected to hit the Castellon area of Valencia, while in Andalucia, winds will be more than 80kph in Almeria.
Snowfall is expected to be three centimetres in 24 hours between 600 and 1'200 metres above sea level in the mountains of Avila, Cantabria, Leon, Palencia, Salamanca, Segovia, Soria and Zamora.

Snowfall will be 12 centimetres over 24 hours above 1'200 metres in the same areas.
Electricity companies and Spanish airports have also been alerted of the weather conditions.