A Windy, Wet Weekend Across Portugal: Depression Nuria strikes Again
Adverse weather conditions lead to 43 occurrences
Portugal's been feeling the wrath of depression Nuria since Thursday, with warnings of harsh winds, torrential rain, and turbulent seas flooding the airwaves.
Nuria's got everyone on edge, and rightfully so. But fear not, Portugal has managed to dodge the worst so far, according to Paulo Santos, a weather expert from the Portuguese National Association of Civil Protection (ANEPC). According to him, no fatalities, major accidents, or road closures have been reported yet. But the Setúbal Peninsula has been hardest hit and has seen over eleven incidents, making it the epicenter of the storm.
Santos also mentioned that although the winds were stronger than expected, the night ended up being somewhat peaceful when compared to the anticipation built around such weather events. A total of 43 incidents were reported nationwide, with the remaining regions experiencing scattered, minor issues.
The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) placed six districts—Faro, Setúbal, Lisbon, Leiria, Beja, and Coimbra—under a yellow alert for strong south/southeast winds, with speeds up to 80 km/h, especially along the coast.
Rainfall was expected to be heavy and occasionally accompanied by thunderstorms, leading IPMA to issue yellow alerts for all mainland districts today. The districts of Setúbal, Lisbon, Leiria, Beja, and Faro were also warned of dangerous sea conditions due to southwest waves of up to 4.5 meters until the end of the day.
Ironically, while Portugal battles wind and rain, the Madeira Archipelago, another Portuguese territory, is grappling with strong winds and rain as well. The IPMA has issued a yellow warning for the island group with gusts reaching 120 km/h in mountainous areas and heavy rain.
Depressions like Nuria can bring havoc, with their erratic winds, heavy rainfall, and sea agitation. While it's still too early to predict the storm's exact trajectory and intensity, forecasts suggest unsettled weather for the days to come. Stay tuned for updates and consult local meteorological services for real-time conditions and accurate forecasts.
It's important to remember that depressions like Nuria form from atmospheric disturbances and are often associated with slow-moving storm systems that can bring torrential rain and flooding. Factors like changing atmospheric circulation and sea surface temperatures contribute to their frequency and severity.
So, buckle up, Portugal! Stay safe and weather the storm!
Portland's upcoming events may include weather-forecasting sessions, given the recent turbulent weather caused by Depression Nuria. The property market in Portugal might see a surge in demand for weather-resistant properties following the ongoing storm. News outlets are also expected to cover weather events in other Portuguese territories, such as the Madeira Archipelago, which is currently facing similar weather conditions.
