Storm Warnings Intensify Across Portugal
Portugal is bracing for severe weather as Storm Martinho approaches, with yellow warnings already in effect for the districts of Lisbon, Setúbal, and Leiria this morning. These warnings are expected to escalate to orange by early evening due to forecasts of heavy rain and strong winds, as reported by the Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).
Rain and Wind Forecasts
The storm is set to bring strong winds and heavy rainfall, particularly affecting the central and southern regions of mainland Portugal. Districts of Lisbon, Setúbal, and Leiria will remain under yellow warnings until 21:00 today, transitioning to orange warnings until 06:00 Thursday morning due to expected periods of heavy rain, potentially accompanied by thunderstorms.
Additionally, the IPMA has issued yellow alerts for the districts of Faro and Beja from 15:00 to 21:00 today, upgrading to orange until 06:00 tomorrow. Warnings are also in place for Évora, Santarém, Portalegre, Viseu, Guarda, Castelo Branco, Aveiro, and Coimbra starting from 18:00 today until 06:00 Thursday.
Wind and Maritime Warnings
Orange warnings have been issued for districts including Viseu, Porto, Guarda, Vila Real, Setúbal, Santarém, Viana do Castelo, Lisbon, Leiria, Castelo Branco, Aveiro, Coimbra, and Braga due to forecasts of strong winds with gusts reaching up to 90 km/h, and potentially 110 km/h in higher altitudes. A yellow wind warning will affect all continental districts from this afternoon until 15:00 Thursday.
The coastal regions are also under a yellow warning for maritime agitation, affecting Faro, Setúbal, Lisbon, Leiria, and Beja from 15:00 today until 22:00 Thursday.
Madeira Island Alerts
The Madeira archipelago is also facing orange warnings for strong winds starting at 12:00 today and maritime agitation in Porto Santo from 21:00. Heavy rain warnings will be in effect until 12:00 today, with wind gusts reaching 95 km/h between 12:00 and 21:00.
Rainfall and Snow Predictions
Forecasts indicate that total precipitation could reach between 70 to 100 millimeters in the central and southern regions, with higher amounts possible along the central coast. Snow is expected to fall in the higher elevations of Serra da Estrela, with snow levels dropping to 1,200/1,400 meters on Friday.
Increased Wind Intensity
The storm will also cause an increase in wind intensity, blowing from the south/southeast with gusts potentially reaching 80 to 90 km/h, especially along the coast, and 110 to 120 km/h in elevated areas. Maritime agitation is anticipated with waves from the southwest expected to reach 4 to 5 meters south of Cabo Carvoeiro and 3 to 4 meters to the north.
Emergency Alerts
On Tuesday, the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) warned of worsening weather conditions over the coming days, with significant precipitation, wind, and maritime agitation expected. According to Alexandre Penha, the national operational deputy of ANEPC, forecasts for the next 48 hours indicate a general worsening of weather conditions, characterized by increased precipitation and wind by late Wednesday and early Thursday.
Moreover, the ANEPC highlighted potential flooding in urban areas of the Tejo basin due to rising water levels, especially in urban basins like Cascais, Oeiras, Lisbon, Loures, Odivelas, and Setúbal, where flow levels may reach a return period of five to ten years due to expected rainfall.
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