The IPMA has increased the number of areas on the continent from seven to ten that will be under an orange warning this Tuesday due to the forecast of rough seas with waves that could reach 12 metres.
The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) had previously placed the areas of Porto, Viana do Castelo, Lisbon, Leiria, Aveiro, Coimbra and Braga under an orange warning.
On Tuesday, the institute extended an orange warning to the areas of Faro, Setúbal and Beja due to sea conditions.
These 10 counties will be under an orange warning from 3:00 pm Tuesday until 9:00 am Wednesday, and then again under an orange alert from 3:00 am Thursday until 12:00 am Friday.
The northern coast of Madeira Island and Porto will also be under a yellow warning from 03:00 to 09:00 on Tuesday and from 06:00 to 19:00 on Thursday due to disturbances at sea.
The IPMA has also placed the areas of Bragança, Viseu, Porto, Guarda, Faro, Vila Real, Setubal, Viana do Castelo, Lisbon, Leiria, Beja, Castelo Branco, Aveiro, Coimbra and Braga under a yellow warning from 12:00 to 18:00 :00 on Wednesday due to the forecast of strong southwest winds with gusts of up to 85 kilometers per hour.
The areas of Viseu, Guarda, Santarem, Lisbon, Leiria, Castelo Branco and Coimbra will also be under a yellow warning from 09:00 to 18:00 on Wednesday due to continued, sometimes heavy rain.
The IPMA has also issued a yellow warning for the areas of Bragança, Viseu, Porto, Guarda, Vila Real, Viana do Castelo, Leiria, Castelo Branco, Aveiro, Coimbra and Braga due to the forecast of snowfalls exceeding 600/800 meters with snow accumulation above 600/800 meters. 800/1000 meters from 09:00 Tuesday to 09:00 Wednesday.
An orange warning is issued by IPMA whenever there is a “moderate to high risk meteorological situation” and a yellow warning when there is a risk situation for certain activities depending on the meteorological situation.
Worsening weather conditions in the coming days, accompanied by rain and strong winds, rough seas and snowfall, have prompted the National Emergency Management and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) to warn the population to take preventive measures.
ANEPC warns that slippery road surfaces are expected due to accumulation of ice, snow and water sheets, as well as snowfall in areas and at elevations “where this would not normally occur.”
In its statement, the defense also warned of possible flooding in “historically more vulnerable locations” and in urban areas and advised the public on preventative measures.
The National Maritime Authority (AMN) and the Navy also warned on Monday of worsening weather conditions and rough seas in mainland Portugal and Madeira.
Both organizations are asking the general population not to walk or engage in activities near the sea, and to avoid accessing or staying near cliffs and rocky areas.