Portugal weather: Heavy rain and thunderstorms trigger regional alerts

Portugal is experiencing significant weather instability characterized by heavy rain, thunderstorms, and hail. The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has issued various alerts, including orange warnings for the Porto, Aveiro, Coimbra, and Braga districts, and yellow warnings for several other regions such as Bragança, Vila Real, Viseu, Guarda, and Leiria.

Forecasts indicate intense precipitation, potentially accumulating 10 to 20 millimeters per hour, alongside wind gusts between 70 and 90 km/h and hail up to 2 centimeters in diameter. Authorities have advised caution regarding driving conditions and potential flash floods.

Following this period of maritime polar air that caused unseasonably low temperatures, a gradual recovery is expected. Temperatures are projected to rise over the coming days, with maximums potentially exceeding 30 degrees Celsius in the south and interior regions by the weekend, despite some continued instability and light rain expected in the north and central coastal areas on Sunday.