At the end of November, the storage levels in most basins exceeded the average for November (1990/91 to 2024/25), with the exception of the Ave, Mira, and Ribeiras do Algarve basins.
Out of the 60 monitored reservoirs, 19 had water supplies above 80% of their total capacity, while four had levels below 40%.
The Oeste and Douro basins had the highest volumes of water at 90.8% and 81.7%, respectively, followed by the Tejo (80.4%), Guadiana (80%), Cávado (78.6%), Mondego (76.5%), Arade (74%), and Lima (71.9%).
By the end of November, the Barlavento basin held the least amount of water at 45.8% compared to 44.4% in October. This basin has consistently experienced low levels, having endured years with critical water shortages.
The Sado, Mira (53.7%), and Ave (56.7%) basins also registered low water containment.
Each hydrographic basin can correspond to more than one reservoir.
According to the Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA), last month was the third wettest November in mainland Portugal since 2000 and the 13th since records began in 1931.
The latest monthly climate bulletin from the IPMA, based on a preliminary analysis of available data, indicated that November was “very rainy,” with precipitation totals “well above normal,” amounting to “about 180% of the average value” for the reference period from 1991 to 2020.
Fifteen new extremes for the highest values of November precipitation were recorded, five of which were absolute extremes (observed at the meteorological stations of Coimbra/Bencanta, Barreiro/Lavradio, Figueira da Foz, Leiria, and Alcobaça).
The IPMA highlighted depression Cláudia, characterized by heavy and prolonged rain, hail, frequent and intense thunderstorms, and strong winds, which resulted in three fatalities, several injuries, and displaced people, as well as the Albufeira tornado, in which “the value of the maximum instantaneous wind was estimated at 220 kilometers per hour.”
