Storm Juliette: Mallorca was hit by a record THIRTEEN FEET of snow
Mallorca was hit by a record 4 meters of snow – the heaviest snowfall since 1985 – during a winter storm that wreaked havoc on the island.
The Spanish holiday island, known for its sun-kissed beaches, is blanketed in snow and rescue teams have been deployed to evacuate residents stranded in their homes by the storm.
Storm Juliette hit Mallorca on Sunday, bringing blizzards and cold weather to the Balearic island.
The Serra de Tramuntana mountain range recorded a record 4 meters of snow on Tuesday evening – the heaviest snowfall since 1985. The Spanish meteorological agency AEMET described the huge amount of snow as “extraordinary”.
Dozens of roads remain closed due to the heavy snowfall and more than 3,000 people are without power.
Mallorca was hit by a record 4 meters of snow – the heaviest snowfall since 1985 – during a winter storm that wreaked havoc on the island.
The Spanish holiday island, known for its sun-drenched beaches, is covered in snow
A van stops after skidding on a snowy road near the mountain village of Valldemossa on the Spanish Balearic island of Mallorca.
This photo shows the mountain village of Valldemossa covered in snow on Monday
Military emergency services from mainland Spain arrived in Palma today with snow plows and heavy equipment and are working with local authorities to clear roads covered in snow and fallen branches.
Hundreds of trees have fallen on roads, making them impassable, after winds of 117 km/h hit the island on Monday and Tuesday.
While the Serre de Tramuntana mountain range was covered with a record 4 meters of snow, more than 9 meters fell in other parts of Mallorca within 24 hours.
Storm Juliette also caused flash flooding in some areas, including the town of Pollensa, with 51 homes flooded due to the heavy rainfall.
More than 3,000 residents on the island are still without electricity after the winter storm damaged 20 power lines. The blizzard led to power cuts in dozens of towns, including Valldemossa, Alaró, Vilafranca and Port d’Alcúdia.
The enormous amount of snow has also closed up to 19 roads in the Serra de Tramuntana region.
Yesterday, AEMET warned that coastal areas in the north of Mallorca will be hit by winds of 55 mph and waves 8 meters high.
The snow is expected to clear from Mallorca on Wednesday and move towards mainland Spain.
Two people walk down a snowy street in the mountain village of Valldemossa on Monday during a heavy snowfall on the Spanish Balearic island of Mallorca
Snow and fallen branches blanketed a road in Majorca’s Serra de Tramuntana mountain range on Tuesday
AEMET issued a red alert for snow today, warning that 15 inches will fall in 24 hours in the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range in the north of the island
Local residents in Valldemossa throw snowballs at each other during the snowstorm on Monday
The blizzard has also caused power cuts in dozens of towns, including Valldemossa, Alaró, Vilafranca and Port d’Alcúdia
Workers clear fallen branches and trees after heavy snow in Mallorca’s Serra de Tramuntana mountains on Tuesday
Snow covers the Serra de Tramuntana mountains in Mallorca, Spain, on Tuesday
Workers clear fallen branches and trees after heavy snow in Mallorca’s Serra de Tramuntana mountains on Tuesday
Young prickly pear cactus is covered in snow in Mallorca’s Serra de Tramuntana mountains on Tuesday
The blizzard has led to power cuts and road closures in Mallorca
However, yellow shore warnings remain in effect in the northern parts of the island as 9-foot waves are expected on the coast.
The storm is expected to bring low temperatures and strong cold winds to the country and the Balearic Islands until Thursday, AEMET said Monday.
Elsewhere in Europe, hundreds of people in Croatia were trapped in their cars on Monday after a snowstorm halted traffic and cut off parts of the country.
The sudden weather change over the weekend after a period of warm and sultry days also caused heavy traffic in neighboring Serbia and Bosnia.
The weather left areas in western Serbia without power and cut off rail traffic to neighboring Montenegro.
Workers clear fallen branches and trees after heavy snow in Mallorca’s Serra de Tramuntana mountains on Tuesday
A sign reading ‘Road Closed’ is seen after a heavy snowstorm in Mallorca’s Serra de Tramuntana mountains.
A woman walks down a snowy street in the mountain village of Valldemossa during a heavy snowfall on Monday
Storm Juliette hit Majorca on Sunday, known for its sun-drenched beaches, and has since brought blizzards and cold to the Balearic island. Pictured: Local residents walking through the heavy snowfall in Valldemossa
A person walks close to the Cartoixa de Valdemossa palace in the snow-capped mountain village of Valldemossa in Mallorca on Monday