The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection issued an alert on Thursday regarding severe weather expected over the next 48 hours, particularly in the North, Center, and Lisbon and Tagus Valley regions.
“According to information provided by IPMA, strong and persistent rainfall is expected over the next 48 hours, particularly in the North, Center, Lisbon, and Tagus Valley regions. The greatest impact of this phenomenon is expected between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. on Friday morning,” stated Carlos Pereira, the national operations deputy of the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC), during a press conference.
In response to this forecast, Civil Protection has raised the special readiness level to level 3 for a territory range from Alto Minho to the Setúbal Peninsula, and level 2 for the rest of the country, with the Algarve remaining at level 1.
The forecasts suggest possible “floods in urban areas” and “flooding from the overflow of some watercourses, rivers, or streams.” Therefore, authorities recommend the cleaning of drains, the removal of equipment, vehicles, or other assets from areas prone to flooding, and the removal of animals and agricultural and industrial equipment from areas near water lines.
In the Minho River basin, flow rates may increase, but no critical situations are expected. In the Coura River, close monitoring is advised.
An increase is also expected for the Lima, Cávado, and Douro Rivers, with “no critical situations” noted.
According to information from the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), it is advised to intensify surveillance in the Vouga basin, where the Águeda River may rise “above normal.”
Monitoring of water levels in the Mondego River is also recommended, as increases in inflows to Coimbra are expected.
The recommendation extends to the Lis River and the Tagus basin, due to predicted flow increases in the Zêzere River. The Nabão River could also see an increase in water level, which should be monitored.
In the Western Streams basin, flow rises in the Arnoia and Alcoa Rivers may occur.
Due to heavy rain, the IPMA has issued an orange warning for the northern and central regions from 3 a.m. on Friday to midnight on Saturday, and a yellow warning for the districts of Lisbon, Santarém, and Castelo Branco from 3 a.m. on Friday to 6 a.m. on Saturday.
The worsening weather conditions are linked to the forecast of urban area floods, flooding, and contamination of drinking water sources by sediments from rural fires.
Civil Protection has highlighted the need to ensure the clearance of rainwater drainage systems and the proper securing of loose structures, including scaffolding, signs, and other suspended materials.
Minimum temperatures are expected to drop significantly, with values around 10 to 15 degrees in the northern and central regions, dropping to below 05 degrees in some northern and central inland areas from Saturday night to Sunday.
In the southern region, minimum temperatures will range between 13 and 18 degrees, dropping to values between 09 and 14 degrees from Saturday night to Sunday.
The PSP also alerted drivers today about the severe weather expected in the coming days, which increases the risk of road accidents.
[Updated at 5:11 p.m.]
