Researchers find that Majorca's summer has lengthened

The most notable increase, though, is for May-June. There has been a 0.7C increase each decade. The total rise in temperature is, therefore, close to three degrees. This is more than three times a global average of 0.18C per decade and more than double an average of 0.24C for the same latitude as the Balearics.

The 0.7C rise contrasts with a whole year increase of 0.43C per decade. One of the researchers, Agustí Jansa, a former director of the Balearic Meteorological Centre, says that the warming which has been accentuated in the May-June period points to a reduction in normal spring weather and so a lengthening of summer.

This is a phenomenon, he adds, which can be observed elsewhere: on the mainland, in north Africa, in the rest of the western Mediterranean and parts of France. He attributes this climate change to a subtropical anticyclone that dominates the weather in July-August having expanded to include the previous two months, thus making summer longer.