Severe Weather Alert: Seven Districts Under Yellow Warning for Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms

Weather Warnings in Effect

Seven districts in mainland Portugal are currently under a yellow weather warning due to forecasts of heavy rain and thunderstorms, as announced by the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) on Sunday, November 16.

Affected Regions

• Districts under yellow warning: Viseu, Porto, Viana do Castelo, Aveiro, Coimbra, and Braga, with alerts in place until mid to late afternoon on Sunday.
• Leiria district: The warning extends until 9 PM.

Situation in the Azores

In the Azores archipelago, the Central and Eastern groups are under yellow warning for expected heavy precipitation, possibly accompanied by thunderstorms.

• Central group (Faial, Pico, São Jorge, Terceira, and Graciosa): Warning valid until 12 PM on Monday, November 17.
• Western group (Flores and Corvo): Warning in effect until 6 AM on Monday.

Weather Trends and Impacts

After several days under an orange warning due to Depression Cláudia, the severe weather is beginning to ease in mainland Portugal. However, forecasts still predict heavy rainfall, hail, thunderstorms on the west coast, and strong winds in western coastal and highland areas. Strong sea agitation will persist throughout Sunday.

The yellow warning is issued by IPMA when there is a risk to activities dependent on weather conditions.

Civil Protection Reports

Between midnight and 6 PM on Saturday, November 15, mainland Portugal recorded 815 incidents related to the bad weather, primarily floods, with the majority in the Metropolitan Area of Porto, followed by the Algarve region, according to official sources from Civil Protection.

• Breakdown of incidents: 506 floods, 103 road clearances, 97 fallen trees, 54 structural collapses, and 50 landslides or mass movements.
• The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) reported one fatality and 28 injuries, two serious, in Albufeira due to an extreme wind event.

Outlook and Safety Recommendations

An ANEPC operations official, based on IPMA forecasts, stated that the trend is toward an improvement in weather conditions, with a decrease in incident numbers already noted.

ANEPC emphasizes that the impact of severe weather can be minimized through preventive behaviors, especially in historically vulnerable areas. Key recommendations include:

• Clear rainwater drainage systems to prevent blockages.
• Exercise caution in wooded areas and near coastal or riverside zones.
• Avoid sea-related activities like sport fishing, water sports, and seaside walks, and do not park vehicles near the shoreline.
• Practice defensive driving by reducing speed and watching for water accumulation on roads.
• Do not cross flooded areas to avoid risks of being swept away or falling into open sewers.
• Move animals, equipment, vehicles, and other belongings from flood-prone areas to safe locations.

Depression Cláudia has been affecting mainland Portugal and the Madeira archipelago since Wednesday with heavy rain, strong winds, and rough seas, as per IPMA.