Several areas of Portugal were left under a blanket of snow on the first day of winter, following a heavy snowstorm in the early hours of Sunday, December 21.
Snow fell across parts of the north and centre of the country, including Castro Daire, Viseu, Caramulo, Guarda and Serra da Estrela, where access roads were closed. Snow was also reported in Ponte de Lima, Gerês and Trás-os-Montes.
The snowfall caused traffic disruption on several roads, including the A24, A27 and the EN321 in Cinfães.
Access to Torre, in the central massif of Serra da Estrela, was closed on Sunday, the GNR confirmed to the Lusa news agency.
The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) issued a yellow weather warning for affected areas, forecasting snowfall above 1,200 metres. Accumulation was expected to reach between one and five centimetres, rising to up to 10 centimetres in Torre.
IPMA warned of possible disruption caused by snow accumulation and ice formation, including restricted or closed roads, damage to trees or structures and difficulties in local supplies.
IPMA meteorologist Alexandra Fonseca told RTP Notícias that a ‘new yellow snowfall warning’ was issued from 9pm on Sunday for northern districts, including Viana do Castelo, Braga, Vila Real and Bragança.
This afternoon (December 22), Castelo Branco and Guarda are also expected to be added to the warning list. IPMA forecasts continued risks of road closures, structural damage and supply disruption.
In recent hours, several districts, including Braga, Castelo Branco, Guarda, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real and Viseu, were under an orange warning for snowfall. This level is issued when there is a moderate to high-risk weather situation.
Temperatures are expected to rise slightly over the next two days. However, from December 24 onwards, a further drop is forecast to last until the end of the week, with the possibility of more snow in northern and central regions. No precipitation is expected on December 24, which may ease Christmas travel, Alexandra Fonseca said.
Authorities are urging caution and additional care when travelling, warning that this is among the heaviest snowfall recorded this year.
Winter officially began in Portugal at 3:03pm on Sunday, December 21.
