The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has issued warnings as the northern and central regions of mainland Portugal brace for the effects of a frontal system linked to Depression Benjamin. The impact is expected to be particularly felt between this afternoon and the early hours of Thursday, with wind intensifying from the west, potentially reaching up to 95 kilometers per hour (km/h) in highland areas.
Rainfall is anticipated to be occasionally heavy, especially in Minho and Douro Litoral, while it remains light in the southern region, according to the IPMA.
Yellow level weather warnings have been issued due to this situation, specifically for precipitation in Minho and Douro Litoral, and gusty winds in the highlands of the northern and central regions.
Districts Bragança, Viseu, Porto, Guarda, Vila Real, Viana do Castelo, and Braga will be under alert from 21:00 today until 06:00 Thursday, as winds are expected to shift from southwest to northwest, with gusts reaching up to 95 km/h in highland areas.
The IPMA has also issued a yellow warning for persistent rain, transitioning to sometimes heavy showers possibly accompanied by thunder, affecting districts such as Viseu, Porto, Vila Real, Viana do Castelo, Aveiro, and Braga, from 21:00 today until 06:00 Thursday.
“In the coming days, the continental weather will continue to be influenced by a westerly flow, transporting an air mass with high moisture content, resulting in strong and persistent rainfall, especially between Friday, November 24, and Saturday, November 25,” the Portuguese meteorological institute stated.
The central region is most likely to experience higher rainfall accumulations during this period, ranging between 50 and 100 mm, potentially extending to the northern region as well.
On Sunday, November 26, weather conditions are expected to ease in the northern and central regions. However, the frontal system is forecast to move southward, potentially causing temporarily intense precipitation until early afternoon.
Due to the “spatial and temporal uncertainty associated with this meteorological situation,” the IPMA advises monitoring weather updates and warnings to be issued in the coming days.
The yellow warning, the least severe on a three-level scale, is issued when there is a risk to certain activities dependent on weather conditions.
