Snow has closed roads in the Serra da Estrela

Roads in the Serra da Estrela central massif are closed to traffic this Wednesday due to snowfall, a civil protection source told Lusa.

According to the Guarda-based Sub-Regional Office for Emergency Situations and Civil Protection of Beiras and Serra da Estrela, snow that fell during the night and early in the morning led to the closure of five sections of the road.

At 00:00, traffic was prohibited in sections 11 (Piornos – Torre), 12 (Torre – Torre) and 13 (Torre – Lagoa Comprida), and at 06:15, traffic was stopped in sections 1 (Portela do Arao ). – Lagoa Comprida) and 2 (Lagoa Comprida – Sabugueiro) indicated.

The same source said at 8:45 a.m. that “there are no forecasts at the moment” for the reopening of road sections of the Serra da Estrela central massif that are closed to motor traffic.

The districts of Guarda, Faro, Beja and Castelo Branco are under a yellow warning this Wednesday due to the forecast for occasional heavy rainfall and snowfall in the highlands.

According to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), a rainstorm warning for Faro and Beja, in effect from midnight, will be in effect until 15:00 this Wednesday.

IPMA also issued a yellow warning for the Guarda and Castelo Branco areas due to over 700/800 meters of snowfall between midnight and 9:00 this Wednesday.

The institute stressed that snow can accumulate at altitudes of more than a thousand meters, reaching five centimeters in Torre da Serra da Estrela.

The statement also warns of possible disruptions caused by snowfall and possible ice formation, including “air-conditioned or blocked roads, damage to structures or trees, and disruption of local supplies.”

IPMA has also issued a yellow warning for the Faro area due to rough seas on the south coast, with waves from the southeast reaching two to three meters in height from 12:00 Thursday to 15:00 Friday.