The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) initially issued a yellow warning for the districts of Faro, Setúbal, Lisbon, Leiria, and Beja from 3:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Sunday. However, the latest update raised the alert to orange in these districts.
The orange warning, the second-highest on a three-tier scale, was triggered by forecasts of strong maritime disturbances, with waves from the west/southwest reaching 5 to 6 meters, possibly peaking at 11 meters in height.
These five districts will also be under a yellow warning from 6:00 PM on Saturday.
Additionally, starting at 6:00 PM on Saturday, the districts of Aveiro, Coimbra, Braga, and Porto will be under a yellow warning due to maritime disturbances, with waves anticipated from the west/southwest at 4 to 5 meters, shifting to northwestern waves.
The yellow warning in these four districts will remain in effect until 9:00 AM on Sunday.
Weather conditions in mainland Portugal may be impacted from Saturday by the passage of the post-tropical depression Gabrielle, currently affecting the Azores since Thursday.
The tropical cyclone Gabrielle hit the Azores in recent hours, heading now towards the mainland, with rain and occasional thunderstorms expected along the west coast on Saturday.
“Thus, from the end of the day on the 27th [Saturday], on the western coast, periods of rain or showers are expected, occasionally accompanied by thunderstorms, spreading to the rest of the territory, especially in the center and south,” as stated in the IPMA note.
Additionally, the IPMA mentioned an expected “increase in wind intensity in highlands and coastal areas, as well as maritime disturbances.”
The Azorean Civil Protection recorded 196 incidents across the archipelago, with no injuries reported, and 16 people needed to be rehoused, according to the latest update by late morning.
The Regional Government declared an alert status from 6:00 PM Thursday to 6:00 PM today, entailing closures and various prohibitions in the Western and Central groups, but this alert has been lifted ahead of schedule. Schools and public services remain closed, however.
