The most recent El Niño and La Niña events, which occurred in 2023 and 2024, were some of the most intense on record, with unprecedented global temperature peaks. The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) is now sharing its seasonal forecasts for El Niño and La Niña with the international community so that countries can take measures to mitigate their effects on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, health, energy, and water management. Tourism is not immune to the challenges of climate change.

German and UK tour operators have warned the Balearic government of a drop in bookings due to summer heat waves. The German Association of Travel Agencies and Tour Operators (DRV) has reported a “loss of comfort” among clients who travelled to the islands in July and August of 2025. The UK’s Association of Travel Agencies and Tour Operators (ABTA) also reports a trend toward seeking out what they call “cool locations.”

With the aim of addressing meteorological risks based on scientific evidence, the Center for Observation of Natural Risks and Climate Emergencies (RiscBal) was created in the Balearics. Climatologist Miquel Tomàs Burguera heads the Analysis Unit. He is an expert in droughts and heat waves.

The RiscBal team is working to incorporate relative humidity into the analysis of heat waves in the Balearics, adapting weather alerts to the realities of the territory. They also measure and process temperature data in the most densely populated areas of the islands with the aim of implementing an early warning system for the population, similar to the existing system for flood risks and the one being developed for gravitational events such as rockfalls and landslides.

“Living in Mallorca, relative humidity is a variable that must be taken into account because it influences the perceived heat.” The State Meteorological Agency issues yellow alerts for maximum summer temperatures of 36°C or higher, orange alerts for maximum temperatures of 39°C, and red alerts for maximum temperatures of 42°C, but we incorporate two additional indices related to relative humidity. We do this because its impact on both daytime and nighttime temperatures has been scientifically proven, and this, in turn, has an impact on people’s health. Those with pre-existing health conditions are the most affected, and serious situations can arise,” explained Tomàs.

The expert stressed the need for a network of climate shelters in the Balearics prepared to accommodate the most vulnerable people who lack air conditioning during heat waves. Little by little, local councils are incorporating these spaces into their emergency plans. Inca is one of the municipalities that has made the most progress in this direction, although the Ministry of Business has established various lines of support that municipalities and local entities throughout the islands can access to develop their own networks. The most recent one was inaugurated a week ago at the Son Oliva public school in Palma.

Inca has already completed the list of climate shelters in the city and is finalising their signage. These are buildings and public spaces that will remain open to provide shelter from the sun and to supply water. Inca also has its own network of stations to monitor climate variables, which are already operational. “From here, we are creating an internal early warning network that is already functioning.”
“The last time it was activated was on March 19th during the yellow wind alert,” explains Bernat Barceló, Environmental Technician for the Inca City Council. Inca also has a Tree Management Plan aimed at meeting the city’s shade needs within the framework of municipal operations and applies criteria.

Romualdo Romero, Professor of Atmospheric Physics at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), told the Bulletin, “We cannot reverse or stop the impact of climate change and global warming, but what we can do and must do is try and ease it, slow it down. We have to prevent global temperatures rising by 3ºC.

“Greenhouse gases are very stable and will remain there for a long time. The oceans have an enormous capacity to absorb heat, as does the ice; both are slow to respond. The sea releases heat very slowly and will take decades or centuries to cool down. Much of the damage has already been done, and now it is just a matter of not reaching extreme limits with irreversible consequences. And this is where action must be taken, to avoid emitting more than we already do.

“In fact, there is nowhere on the planet where temperatures are falling and that is one of the key problems,” he said. “Uneven warming is occurring worldwide, greater in the northern hemisphere and at higher latitudes. The Mediterranean is an area with a temperature increase above the global average: in the last 30 years it has risen by almost two degrees, and aridification of this region is expected,” Romualdo said. “The signs of climate change are obvious, the warning signs are clear, we’re seeing longer droughts in southern Europe, concerns over water resources are mounting, even here in the Balearics.