Depression Marta Batters Northern Portugal with Destructive Winds and Heavy Rain
A powerful storm named Depression Marta has swept into northern Portugal, bringing destructive winds and heavy rain. The worst conditions hit the Minho region, with gusts nearing 160 km/h in some areas. Authorities have issued red alerts for Porto, Aveiro, and Coimbra as the system moves through.
The storm's strongest winds struck early, with Braga, Porto, Aveiro, and Coimbra facing gusts up to 120 km/h. Nearby, Viana do Castelo and Leiria saw speeds of 80 km/h. These intense winds were expected to last until 9 p.m., particularly along the northern and central coasts.
Rain spread widely on Saturday, accompanied by fierce winds along the southern coast of Aveiro. By late afternoon, conditions began to ease slightly, though showers persisted. The weather briefly calmed on Sunday morning, but rain returned by midday and grew heavier toward evening.
Monday brought further downpours, with the south experiencing heavy rain until late morning. The northern and central coasts saw persistent showers in the afternoon. The heaviest and most prolonged rain arrived on Tuesday and Wednesday, focusing on the same coastal regions.
From Wednesday onward, the rain gradually shifted northward, easing in the south. The system's effects weakened, though wet weather lingered along the northern and central coasts.
Depression Marta has now moved through, leaving behind widespread rain and wind damage. While conditions will slowly improve, the northern and central coasts will continue to see showers for several days. The storm's impact has been most severe in Porto, Aveiro, and Coimbra, where winds reached their peak.
