Portugal Braces for Weekend of severe Weather as ‘Claudia’ Depression Approaches
Portugal is preparing for several days of disruptive weather, including strong winds, heavy rainfall, and important sea disturbances, as the ‘Claudia’ depression moves across the region. The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) issued warnings effective tuesday, November 11th, and extending through at least Thursday, with impacts anticipated to last until the weekend.
Depression to Bring Widespread and Persistent Rainfall
“Gradually extend to the remaining regions of the continent throughout the 12th, and in the following days, through the passage of successive instability lines, at least until the weekend.” this means widespread and persistent rainfall is expected, particularly on November 12th and 13th, accompanied by the risk of thunderstorms.
Rainfall and Wind Intensify
The heaviest rainfall accumulations are forecast for the North and Central coasts, as well as mountainous regions, perhaps exceeding 150 mm by Sunday in localized areas. Winds will begin to strengthen from the south on Tuesday, reaching gusts of up to 70 km/h in Minho and 80 km/h in the highlands.
The peak of wind intensity is anticipated on Thursday, with gusts potentially reaching 90 km/h along the coast and a formidable 120 km/h in the highlands.”The highest rainfall accumulations are expected to be recorded on the North and Central coast and in the mountainous regions,” a senior official stated.
Coastal Hazards and Sea Warnings
Alongside the wind and rain, significant wave activity is expected. Southwesterly waves of three to four meters are forecast, temporarily increasing to four to five meters on Thursday. These conditions will impact even typically sheltered coastal areas, such as the south coast of the Algarve and the Arrábida region near Setúbal.
The entire continental coast is currently under a yellow warning for maritime unrest, with waves of 4 to 4.5 meters anticipated until 3:00 PM on Wednesday. Further warnings for coastal unrest are in effect for Faro, Setúbal, Lisbon, and Beja between 3:00 AM Thursday and midnight Friday.
Regional weather Alerts in Effect
Districts of Viana do Castelo and Braga are under a yellow rain warning from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM Tuesday, extending from 6:00 AM Wednesday through midnight Friday. This yellow warning will be expanded to cover all remaining districts due to rainfall between 6:00 AM Wednesday and midnight Friday.
On Thursday, a yellow warning for strong winds, with gusts up to 80 km/h (90 km/h in the mountains), has been issued for Porto, Guarda, Faro, Setúbal, Viana do Castelo, Lisbon, Leiria, Beja, Castelo Branco, Aveiro, Coimbra, and Braga.
Madeira Archipelago Also Affected
The Madeira archipelago is also bracing for impact. The south coast and mountainous areas of Madeira are under an orange warning for heavy, persistent rain and potential thunderstorms from 3:00 AM to 9:00 AM Wednesday, downgrading to a yellow warning through Thursday. The north coast of Madeira and Porto Santo are already under a yellow warning for heavy rain, beginning at 6:00 PM Tuesday and lasting until Thursday.
Strong winds, with gusts up to 75 km/h (potentially 95 km/h in mountainous regions), are also forecast for Madeira between Wednesday and Friday, prompting a yellow warning. A yellow warning for sea unrest is also in place for the north coast, Porto Santo, and the south coast of Madeira on Thursday and Friday.
A Stationary System Over the North Atlantic
According to IPMA, the ‘claudia’ depression, as observed at altitude, is part of “a vast complex depression region over the North Atlantic and which is expected to remain almost stationary until the weekend.” This suggests that the unsettled weather pattern is likely to persist for several days, requiring continued vigilance and preparedness across Portugal and Madeira.
