The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) today raised from 11 to 12 districts under yellow warning due to the forecast of cold weather and snowfall, also including Portalegre.
The IPMA has issued a yellow alert for the district of Portalegre due to the forecast of “persistence of low minimum temperatures” between 07:00 today and 06:00 Tuesday.
The districts of Bragança, Viseu, Guarda, Vila Real, Castelo Branco and Aveiro are also under a yellow warning for cold weather, now extended until 06:00 on Tuesday.
These districts, as well as Porto, Viana do Castelo, Leiria, Coimbra and Braga, are also under yellow warning until 15:00 today due to the forecast of “snowfall above 600/800 meters, and up to five centimeters above 800 meters”.
The yellow warning, the least severe, is issued by the IPMA when there is a risk situation for certain activities depending on the weather situation.
The institute warns of possible disruptions caused by snow accumulation and possible ice formation, such as conditioned or blocked roads, damage to structures or trees, or damage to local utilities.
The IPMA predicts cold weather in the coming days, with maximum temperatures dropping between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius due to an air mass of polar origin.
For today, showers are forecast, with snow in the highlands, and sometimes strong winds in the highlands and coastal strip of the southern region, with possible formation of ice or frost, especially in the interior of the country.
Based on the IPMA’s forecasts, the National Emergency and Civil Protection Agency (ANEPC) has issued a warning to the population about the risks of poisoning by inhaling gases due to inadequate ventilation and house fires caused by the improper use of fireplaces and braziers or by faults in electrical circuits.
The Civil Protection also draws attention to the dangers of slippery floors and the possible formation of sheets of water and ice, as well as the possibility of falling branches or trees due to strong winds.
The ANEPC also advises citizens to avoid prolonged exposure to the cold, to wear several layers of clothing and to exercise caution when exercising outdoors.