The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has placed several districts in Northern and Central Portugal under a red weather warning due to heavy snowfall expected from midnight on Friday.
Braga, Porto, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real and Viseu will be on the highest alert level until at least 9am on Saturday. Snow is forecast above 600 to 800 metres, with accumulations of 20 to 30 centimetres above 800 metres and a strong risk of ice formation.
The weather authority also does not rule out snowfall, “though in smaller amounts”, in the São Mamede and Marvão mountain ranges in Alto Alentejo, as well as in Monchique, in the Algarve.
IPMA warns of serious disruption to road traffic and possible impacts on local supply services, as Storm Ingrid begins to affect mainland Portugal from Thursday afternoon.
Coimbra, Aveiro, Castelo Branco, Guarda and Bragança are under an orange warning for snow, some starting as early as 9pm this Thursday.
Meanwhile, several other districts are under yellow warnings for heavy rain and strong winds throughout Thursday.
The storm is also bringing dangerous sea conditions. On Saturday, districts including Porto, Lisbon, Faro, Setúbal, Braga, Aveiro, Coimbra and Beja will be under a red warning for maritime agitation, with northwesterly waves of seven to nine metres, potentially reaching 15 metres along the western coast.
Authorities are urging fishermen and recreational boat users to return to safe harbour, while the general public is advised to avoid coastal areas, beaches and exposed zones during the storm.
Red warnings are issued in situations of extreme risk, with orange indicating moderate to high danger and yellow signaling weather conditions that may affect certain activities.
Some forecasts had already pointed to Portugal experiencing one of its worst snowstorms in recent years.
