More than 30,000 lightning strikes were recorded across mainland Portugal in just 24 hours as a powerful cold front swept the country, bringing torrential rain, thunderstorms and strong winds, reports the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).
A total of 150 weather-related incidents were also registered by the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), including 91 floods, 42 fallen trees and several reports of collapsed structures and minor landslides.
Lisbon was the hardest-hit region with 65 incidents, followed by Setúbal (12) and the Oeste region (12). The rest were reported across the country but with no serious consequences, ANEPC officials said.
Data from IPMA shows that Portugal experienced over 30,000 electrical discharges (lightning strikes), including 20,000 positive and 9,000 negative lightning strikes, as the storm passed through on Tuesday night and early Wednesday.
The intense weather was triggered by a moderate to strong cold front, which continues to affect much of the country with heavy rain and thunder.
IPMA has kept orange alerts in effect for heavy rain and yellow warnings for thunderstorms, valid until mid-morning Wednesday in most districts.
Although conditions are expected to improve slightly later in the day, showers will persist, especially along the northern and central coast, where hail and occasional lightning remain probable.
Winds are also expected to strengthen between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, with gusts reaching up to 80 km/h along the coast and 110 km/h in higher regions. A yellow wind warning has been issued.
Meanwhile, the western coastline faces increasing wave activity, with swells of four to five metres, potentially rising to six metres overnight. IPMA has issued an orange warning for rough seas as a result.
