Speaking to Lusa, Ângela Lourenço, a meteorologist at the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), noted that the system, expected to pass north of the Azores before reaching the mainland, could begin to make itself felt as early as late Saturday, depending on its speed of movement. However, the most likely scenario points to its effects arriving on Sunday.

“This low-pressure system, which brings associated frontal systems, will affect us early next week and, indeed, has characteristics more typical of autumn. Sometimes, frontal disturbances occur in summer that deviate slightly from their usual path,” she explained.

Lourenço noted that IPMA is assessing and monitoring the situation to determine whether the system will actually arrive on Sunday and what form it might take.

“Along its path from the Azores to us [the mainland], there could be disturbances that cause it to acquire different characteristics. We will monitor it to see what it looks like and identify its key characteristics regarding weather conditions or potential impact,” she pointed out.

According to the meteorologist, the general forecast indicates a change in weather conditions, with precipitation starting Sunday and continuing through much of the following week, rain that “could be heavy at times.”

“At the moment, all indications are that, if it intensifies, it will affect the northern and central regions more than the south, but we shall see,” she said.

Ângela Lourenço noted that the situation could bring periods of stronger winds and rougher seas, which are the main impacts associated with the passing low-pressure system.

Regarding temperatures, the meteorologist pointed out that the most significant drop had already occurred on Wednesday and was expected to continue today, albeit “less sharply”, with no major fluctuations anticipated in the coming days.

“There may be slight rises in some locations tomorrow [Friday] and Saturday, [while] in others, temperatures will remain steady,” she emphasised.

On Tuesday, the IPMA had placed the districts of Viana do Castelo, Braga, Porto, Vila Real, Bragança, Aveiro, Viseu, Guarda, and Coimbra under an orange warning due to the forecast of hot weather.