Portugal storm changes course as Algarve remains under red alert

The Charles depression has changed its characteristics, with wind speeds and gusts decreasing, leaving only the district of Faro under a red gust warning, according to the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).

By TPN/Lusa, in News · 11 Nov 2026, 10:43 · 0 Comments

Credits: Unsplash; Author: Felix Mittermeier;

The Charles depression has already crossed Madeira and is currently, at 10 am, making its way towards mainland Portugal. “The latest numerical models point to a reduction in the intensity of the wind and gusts,” IPMA meteorologist Patrícia Gomes told Lusa.

“The depression ended up changing its characteristics and is not producing as much wind,” she added, stressing that a scenario similar to the one experienced in central Portugal earlier this year with Storm Kristin has been “largely ruled out”.

Patrícia Gomes explained these changes: “The centre of the depression will not have as low atmospheric pressure as previously forecast, and that makes all the difference to wind intensity and the severity of meteorological parameters.”

The country has been under a state of alert since midnight on 11 November due to the passage of the Charles depression, which initially hit the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

Heavy rainfall is still forecast for mainland Portugal, but “the wind has decreased in intensity and gust strength, resulting in a downgrade of the warning level for gusts”.

Only the district of Faro remains under a red warning for gusts, which could reach 120 km/h and, in the most exposed areas, up to 140 km/h.

In the districts of Lisbon, Setúbal and Beja, gusts of 100 km/h are forecast, potentially reaching 120 km/h in the most exposed areas, such as higher mountain ranges and coastal areas.

The remaining districts in Alentejo and central Portugal are under yellow gust warnings, with winds estimated at 90 km/h.

“The warning for Lisbon was brought forward and downgraded,” Patrícia Gomes added, saying that warnings in the districts of Lisbon, Setúbal and Faro will remain in place until 6 pm.

Regarding rainfall in these districts, red precipitation warnings remain in place, with only Évora downgraded to orange. “These warnings end at 6 pm in the southernmost parts of the country, while in the north they end at 9 pm,” the meteorologist added, stressing that further adjustments may be made throughout the day.

Forecasts of worsening weather conditions prompted the Government to decide to close schools and advise people to limit travel and work remotely wherever possible.