Porto, Braga, and Viana do Castelo are under a yellow warning from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM today due to expected heavy precipitation, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).
Orange warnings have been issued for the districts of Porto, Viana do Castelo, Lisbon, Leiria, Aveiro, Coimbra, and Braga due to expected marine agitation, with northwest waves reaching five to six meters in significant height and potentially reaching a maximum of 11 meters.
The warnings in these seven districts are in effect from 6:00 PM on Tuesday until 3:00 PM on Wednesday.
The entire coast of mainland Portugal will be under a yellow warning for marine agitation starting at 12:00 PM on Tuesday, lasting until 3:00 AM on Wednesday, with expected northwest waves of four to five meters.
The districts of Guarda and Castelo Branco will be under a yellow warning due to snow, with IPMA forecasting snow accumulation above 1,600 meters, possibly reaching 10 cm at Torre.
Probable impacts include disruptions caused by snow accumulation and possible ice formation, such as blocked or restricted roads, damage to structures or trees, and disrupted local supplies.
This warning for these two inland northern districts will be in effect from 12:00 AM Tuesday until 12:00 AM Wednesday.
An orange warning is issued by IPMA when there is a moderate to high-risk weather situation, while a yellow warning indicates a risk for certain activities dependent on weather conditions.
The Directorate-General for Health (DGS) recommended preventive measures on Sunday due to the forecasted cold weather, especially in the Northern region, highlighting an increased risk of respiratory diseases, worsening chronic conditions, and accidents.
With IPMA predicting cold weather in the coming days, with some districts in northern mainland Portugal experiencing negative temperatures, the DGS issued several recommendations for the public to protect against the adverse effects of cold weather on health.
The recommendations include avoiding prolonged exposure to cold and sudden temperature changes, dressing in layers, wearing hats, gloves, and scarves, ensuring not to sit for more than an hour at a time when at home, drinking water even without feeling thirsty, consuming soups and hot drinks, avoiding alcohol, increasing the intake of foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants (such as fruits and vegetables), and avoiding fried foods high in fat or sugar.
DGS also calls for reinforced attention to the most vulnerable, such as young children, the elderly, individuals with chronic diseases, outdoor workers, people in isolation or homeless, and suggests caution with outdoor activities, avoiding strenuous efforts in the cold and wearing appropriate clothing.
