Attention! Ten areas of mainland Portugal are under orange warning due to rain and thunderstorms

A meteorological warning for rainfall and thunderstorms is in effect in 18 districts of mainland Portugal this Friday and Saturday, with 10 in the northern and central regions under an orange warning and the rest under a yellow warning, IPMA said.

According to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), the areas of Viana do Castelo, Braga, Vila Real, Bragança, Porto, Aveiro, Viseu, Guarda, Coimbra and Castelo Branco are located today until 06:00 Saturday. under an orange warning, the second-most severe on a scale of three, for precipitation in which “heavy hail showers accompanied by thunderstorms and convective bursts” are expected, as well as frequent and concentrated thunderstorms.

These 10 districts in the northern and central regions of mainland Portugal will be under a yellow warning (the least severe on a scale of three) for rain and thunderstorms on Saturday from 6am to 9pm.

The remaining eight districts of the Centre, Lisbon and Tagus Valley, Alentejo and Algarve regions, namely Leiria, Santarem, Portalegre, Lisbon, Setubal, Évora, Beja and Faro, are under a yellow warning from 15:00 today until 3:00 Saturday morning . to the forecast of “showers, sometimes heavy, with hail and accompanied by thunderstorms and convective bursts,” as well as “frequent and scattered” thunderstorms.

A yellow warning, the least severe on a three-point scale, is issued by IPMA whenever a risk situation arises for certain activities depending on the meteorological situation, and an orange warning, the second most severe, is issued whenever a meteorological situation arises. moderate and high risk.

On Thursday, Civil Protection warned of worsening weather conditions today and Saturday, with the possibility of hail, temperatures rising to 36 degrees and a high risk of rural fires.

In a warning to the public, the National Emergency Management and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) cited IPMA forecasts that indicate the possibility of downpours, sometimes heavy, accompanied by thunderstorms in the Northern and Central regions, “and the possibility of dry thunderstorms cannot be ruled out.” “

Winds from the south may blow with strong gusts, and maximum temperatures are also expected to rise to 33-36 degrees.

In urban areas, flash floods, floods, slides and landslides may occur, and layers of water may accumulate on the road surface. Other expected impacts include falling tree branches and damage to communications and energy infrastructure.

According to ANEPC, the impact of these effects can be minimized by adopting appropriate behavior. Particularly in historically more vulnerable areas, it is recommended to unblock rainwater drainage systems and remove inert materials and other objects that may be carried over or obstruct the free flow of water.

Other recommendations include ensuring that loose structures, such as scaffolding, billboards and other suspended structures, are adequately secured, and taking extra care when traveling or staying near wooded areas.