The arrival of Storm Ingrid in Portugal is triggering preventive measures in several parts of the country, including controlled water releases from major dams.
The depression is expected to bring periods of heavy rain, snow at higher altitudes and severe sea conditions, with waves forecast to reach up to 15 metres. In response, the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has issued a red warning for the entire coastline due to rough seas, alongside a yellow warning for rainfall.
As expected, snow has already begun to fall in several northern districts, including mountainous areas like Serra da Estrela, but also lower altitude areas less accustomed to such weather events. The northern districts of Vila Real, Viseu, Porto, Braga and Viana do Castelo are all on red alert until 9am on Saturday morning, issued by Portugal’s Sea and Atmosphere Institute (IPMA), due to forecasts of snow. Schools have already closed in districts like Vila Real and Chaves as snow has covered vital roads. Even southern areas, like the Algarve’s Monchique mountain range, could see snowfall this evening as temperatures plunge.
Meanwhile, also in the Algarve, where reservoirs are currently at an average of 88% capacity – above the national average of around 83% – authorities have begun controlled discharges at five of the region’s six dams to create additional storage capacity due to the heavy rain. The Bravura dam is, for now, the only exception.
Bravura is currently around 70% full and may begin releases in the coming days. The situation marks a sharp contrast with recent years, when water levels fell below 20% during the peak of the drought.
Although the expected increase in river flows is not considered extreme, the president of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), José Pimenta Machado told Diário de Notícias that people living or circulating downstream of dams should be especially careful, advising them to avoid rivers and flood-prone areas.
Preventive measures are also being extended to other regions. With further heavy rain forecast for next week, particularly north of the Mondego river, APA has announced planned releases at the Caniçada dam and increased monitoring of the Vouga, Mondego and Zêzere river basins.
Urban areas such as Lisbon may face flash floods, drainage problems and traffic disruption due to intense rainfall, Machado told DN.
APA will continue to monitor the situation closely and release new information whenever necessary, he added, urging the public to follow Civil Protection guidance and stay alert to weather updates in the coming days.
