High Winds, Intense Rain Expected to Batter Portugal

(Photo @ Sara Matos/Global Imagens)

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A second low-pressure system is expected to clobber mainland Portugal on October 19, with strong winds and heavy rain. The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Air (IPMA) recommends that unnecessary travel be avoided throughout the day, reported Diário de Notícias.

Already hit this week by the Babet depression, or low-pressure area, the country also will be affected by the Aline depression.

“This depression is expected to give rise to strong winds, with gusts that can exceed 100 kilometers per hour, mainly on the coast of the Central and Southern regions, including the Algarve,” said Paula Leitão, an IPMA meteorologist.

The intensity of the wind is expected to decrease from late afternoon.

“Depression Aline will approach the coast of the northern and central regions during the morning, then cross the territory from the east.”

All of mainland Portugal also is predicted to experience heavy rain, sometimes thunderstorms, that will not abate until the late afternoon.

According to IPMA, maritime conditions will be affected with waves in the western quadrant expected to measure four to five meters, then increasing to five to seven meters, possibly reaching a maximum height of 14 meters, persisting until October 20.

On the south coast of the Algarve, the waves are expected to increase to four to five meters during the afternoon of October 19.

Temperatures also are expected to drop, said Paula Leitão.

The meteorologist cautioned people to take care, especially those who are vulnerable and those whose work involves structures, such as cranes and scaffolding, exposed to the elements.

She also expected major traffic jams and appealed to the good sense of motorists to minimize their travel.

The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) recorded between midnight and 4 p.m. on October 17, 1,156 incidents on mainland Portugal related to bad weather, such as falling trees and structures as well as flooding, the majority in Greater Lisbon, reported Diário de Notícias (October 17).

Authorities reported no injuries.