Good news from the reservoirs: Mallorca's water levels recover after rainy September

A slight relief for the water reserves — but not for the entire island interior

Walking along Cúber early this morning, you've probably already noticed: the water level appears more present than just a few weeks ago. I was there around 9 a.m.; the air smelled of damp earth, and the MA-10 road was surprisingly empty. The national weather authority Aemet reports for Mallorca an increase in reserves from around 43 to 45 percent in September – not dramatic, but noticeable.

Regional differences remain

The relief is uneven. Some supply zones benefit significantly from the rainfall, others remain under pressure. Currently five demand groups are considered pre-alert (including Manacor-Felanitx, the south, Palma-Alcúdia, as well as north- and south-Tramuntana). In contrast, Mallorca's lowlands and the area around Artà are in alarm level. In short: for individual municipalities the situation remains tense.

The measured rainfall in September across the archipelago was close to the average: about 67 l/m² on average vs the usual 61 l/m². On Mallorca itself about 58 l/m² were recorded (for comparison: the climate value is 66 l/m²). The Pityuses, however, experienced considerably heavier rainfall, which pushes the statistics upward.

Why this is not yet a reason for complacency

Even though more water is in the reservoirs, evaporation remains an issue: September was overall warmer than usual (roughly +1°C), increasing evaporation rates. Also, a single wet month is not enough to offset several dry years. Especially in the rural south and around Artà you can feel it – wells run slower, agricultural operations continue to report concerns.

Outlook: What October could bring

For October they hope for a typical autumn pattern with further rainfall. Meteorologists see chances of additional precipitation, especially if Atlantic lows move closer again. If that happens, the reservoirs could rise further — but the distribution of rainfall amounts remains decisive.

My impression of Cúber: it's a beginning. The island breathes briefly, but the outlook remains watchful. For the coming weeks: monitor consumption, support local water management measures, and hope that the rain comes more evenly distributed this time.

Tags: Aemet, Water, Rain, Climate, Reservoirs