Portugal Declares Alert and Closes Schools as Storm Charles Approaches
Authorities urge residents to stay home as the powerful storm brings torrential rain and wind gusts of up to 140 km/h following recent damage from storm Bruna.
Portugal's government has declared a civil protection alert and announced the closure of schools and non-essential public services as Storm Charles bears down on the country. Following closely behind depression Bruna, which recently caused widespread flooding and structural damage in Madeira, the new subtropical storm is forecast to bring severe weather conditions across the Iberian Peninsula.
Interior Minister Luís Neves urged citizens to remain indoors during a briefing at Civil Protection headquarters, stating that outdoor activities will be suspended and access to parks and forests restricted. "The country will be put to the test," Neves said, while appealing to employers for understanding as many workers face disruption.
The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) reported that Madeira would face the initial impact, with red warnings issued for heavy rain and extreme winds in mountainous regions and the south coast. The island's mountain areas could experience gusts reaching up to 140 km/h alongside rainfall accumulations exceeding 100 millimeters within a 12-hour period.
On the mainland, conditions are expected to deteriorate significantly. Red wind warnings have been issued for districts including Beja, Faro, Setúbal, Évora, Leiria, Lisboa, Portalegre, and Santarém, with other regions covered by orange warnings. Forecasters predict wind gusts between 100 and 120 km/h, potentially higher in exposed areas, alongside heavy rain and dangerous coastal conditions featuring waves up to seven meters high.
In neighboring Spain, the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (Aemet) indicated that Wednesday would mark the peak of the storm before conditions turn less intense on Thursday. Meteorological models indicate the storm formed at lower Atlantic latitudes, making Charles the third named storm of the 2026/2027 season after Adam and Bruna.
Portugal's National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) has issued extensive safety recommendations for the public. Authorities strongly advise residents to postpone non-essential travel, secure loose outdoor objects such as flowerpots and scaffolding, clear drainage systems, and stay entirely away from coastal areas, swollen rivers, and potential landslide zones.
Specific warnings were also highlighted for the Algarve region, noting potential severe flooding in areas like Albufeira and Tavira within the Sotovento zone. Emergency responders remain on high alert across the nation as authorities monitor the unpredictable track of the storm.