Storm Juliette: Mallorca was hit by a record THIRTEEN FEET of snow
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Mallorca was hit by a record 13 feet of snow – its heaviest snow fall since 1985 – during a winter storm that has wreaked havoc on the island, it emerged today.
The Spanish holiday island, known for its sun-drenched beaches, has been covered with snow and rescue teams have been deployed to evacuate residents who have been stranded in their homes due to the storm.
Storm Juliette hit Mallorca on Sunday and brought blizzards and cold weather to the Balearic island.
A record 13 feet of snow accumulated in the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range by Tuesday evening – the heaviest snow fall since 1985. Spain’s meteorological agency AEMET described the sheer volume of snow as ‘extraordinary’.
Dozens of roads remain closed due to the heavy snow fall and more than 3,000 people are without electricity.
Mallorca was hit by a record 13 feet of snow – its heaviest snow fall since 1985 – during a winter storm that has wreaked havoc on the island.
The Spanish holiday island, known for its sun-drenched beaches, has been covered with snow
A van stops after skidding on a snow-covered road close to the mountain village of Valldemossa on the Spanish Balearic island of Mallorca on Monday
This picture shows the mountain village of Valldemossa covered in snow, on Monday
Military emergency units from Spain’s mainland arrived in Palma today with snow ploughs and heavy equipment and are working with local agencies to clear the roads, which are covered with snow and fallen branches.
Hundreds of trees have fallen onto the roads, making them impassible, after 117 km/hr winds hit the island on Monday and Tuesday.
While the Serre de Tramuntana mountain range was blanketed with a record 13ft of snow, more than 3ft fell in other areas of Mallorca within 24 hours.
Storm Juliette also caused flash flooding in some areas including the town of Pollensa, with 51 houses flooded due to the heavy rainfall.
More than 3,000 residents on the island are still without electricity after the winter storm damaged 20 high voltage lines. The snow storm led to power cuts in dozens of towns including Valldemossa, Alaró, Vilafranca and Port d’Alcúdia.
The sheer volume of snow has also forced the closure of up to 19 roads in the Serra de Tramuntana region.
Yesterday, AEMET warned the coastal regions in northern Mallorca will be hit with 55mph winds and 26ft waves.
The snow is expected to subside from Mallorca on Wednesday and move towards mainland Spain.
Two people walk down a snow-covered street in the mountain village of Valldemossa during a heavy snow-fall, on the Spanish Balearic island of Mallorca on Monday
Snow and fallen branches covers a road in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains in Mallorca on Tuesday
Workers remove fallen branches and trees after a heavy snow in Serra de Tramuntana mountains in Mallorca on Tuesday
However, there remain yellow coastal warnings in place in the northern parts of the island as there are 9ft waves expected on the coast.
The storm is expected to cause low temperatures and strong cold winds across the country and Balearic Islands until Thursday, AEMET said on Monday.
Elsewhere in Europe, hundreds of people in Croatia were stuck in their cars on Monday after a snowstorm halted traffic and cut off parts of the country.
The sudden change in the weather over the weekend after a period of warm and balmy days also snarled up traffic in neighbouring Serbia and Bosnia.
The weather left areas in western Serbia without power and cut railway traffic to neighbouring Montenegro.
Workers remove fallen branches and trees after a heavy snow in Serra de Tramuntana mountains in Mallorca on Tuesday
A woman walks down a snow-covered street in the mountain village of Valldemossa during a heavy snow-fall on Monday
Storm Juliette hit Mallorca, known for its sun-drenched beaches, on Sunday and has since brought blizzards and cold weather to the Balearic island. Pictured: Locals walk through the heavy snow in Valldemossa