Iberian Peninsula hit by seven atmospheric rivers during 2025-2026 winter

During the 2025-2026 winter season, the Iberian Peninsula was impacted by seven atmospheric rivers. These corridors of concentrated water vapor from the Atlantic triggered successive episodes of intense precipitation, leading to soil saturation and increased risks of flooding and landslides, such as those seen in Montemor-o-Velho.

Researchers from the Center for Research in Science and Technology for the Earth and Energy System (CREATE) at the University of Évora conducted a scientific campaign to observe these phenomena in real time. The study aims to understand how high-altitude moisture interacts with meteorological systems to trigger extreme rainfall, with the goal of improving meteorological models and early warning systems for such risks.