From Umbrellas to Sunglasses: Portugal Faces Stormy Saturday, Bright Sunday

Portugal’s first November weekend: Persistent rain on Saturday, brighter skies on Sunday

The opening weekend of November will serve up two very different moods across the country. Meteorologists from the Portuguese Sea and Atmosphere Institute (IPMA) expect a soaking on Saturday, followed by a noticeable improvement on Sunday as an Atlantic front clears. Below is a region-by-region breakdown, the latest warnings and tips for travellers and farmers.

1. Regional outlook

Greater Lisbon• Saturday: Intermittent but at times heavy rain from dawn, easing late evening. South-westerly gusts up to 50 km/h along the Tagus estuary.• Sunday: Largely dry with sunny spells; temperatures rebound to 22 °C.• Early next week: Mainly fine on Monday, showers likely to return on Tuesday afternoon and linger into Wednesday, highs around 19 °C.

North• Saturday: The wettest zone in the country. Up to 100 mm of rain possible in mountain catchments (e.g., Peneda-Gerês, Marão). Isolated thunderstorms cannot be ruled out north of the Montejunto-Estrela line. Coastal gusts may touch 65 km/h.• Sunday: Sharp drop in rainfall; bright intervals develop, although brief showers could linger near the Minho. Maxima hover near 20 °C.• Nights: Minimum temperatures tumble below 5 °C in sheltered valleys late Sunday into Monday.

Centre• Saturday: Continuous rain, intensifying over Serra da Estrela and Coimbra district. Daytime peaks 15–19 °C.• Sunday: Noticeable clearance; long sunny periods and only residual drizzle over high ground.• Monday: Mostly dry but feeling cooler—lows around 4 °C inland.

South (Alentejo & Algarve)• Saturday: Cloudy start; rain spreads south after lunchtime, lighter than elsewhere.• Sunday: Dry for most of the day with pleasant highs of 23 °C in the eastern Algarve.• Tuesday–Wednesday: A fresh Atlantic pulse is forecast to reinstate showers, particularly along the western Algarve coast.

Madeira• Saturday: Brief but vigorous downpours during the morning, quickly clearing; warm, up to 25 °C.• Sunday: Predominantly sunny, sea breezes.• Early week: Scattered light showers on Tuesday, otherwise calm.

2. Official warnings in force

IPMA has issued the following colour codes for Saturday, 1 November:• Orange – Heavy rain: Braga, Porto, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu, Aveiro, Coimbra, Guarda, Leiria.• Yellow – Heavy rain: Lisboa, Santarém, Castelo Branco, Bragança and remaining mainland districts north of the Tagus not listed above.• Yellow – Coastal swell: Western coastline north of Cabo Carvoeiro, waves 2.5–3.5 m from W/NW.Most warnings are expected to be downgraded or lifted early Sunday as the front moves east. Check ipma.pt for real-time updates.

3. Possible impacts

• Road travel: PSP reports a heightened accident risk from spray, standing water and fallen branches—especially on the A3, A4 and IC2. If driving, reduce speed, keep distance and avoid sudden manoeuvres.• Urban flooding: Drainage networks in Porto, Braga and parts of Coimbra are prone to overflow during intense bursts. Municipal services request residents clear leaves from street gutters.• River levels: Civil Protection is watching the Minho, Coura, Lima, Cávado, Douro, Vouga (Águeda) and Mondego basins for rapid rises. Flash-flood-prone streams in these catchments may react quickly to 24-hour totals above 80 mm.• Agriculture:– Chestnut pickers in Trás-os-Montes could face muddy orchards, slowing harvest and fostering fungal rot if burrs stay on the ground too long.– Late-season grape growers in the Dão and Bairrada regions risk diluted musts and botrytis if grapes remain unpicked through Saturday’s deluge; many estates have accelerated picking on Friday.

4. Looking ahead

A weak ridge of high pressure should dominate from Sunday evening into Monday, granting a short-lived break in the unsettled pattern. Most numerical models (ECMWF, GFS) then signal another Atlantic disturbance by Tuesday, chiefly affecting the west and centre but with less intensity than Saturday’s system. Temperatures will slip back to the high-teens mid-week, overnight lows locally near freezing on interior plateaus.

5. Quick safety checklist

Keep an eye on IPMA warnings and municipal social media.

Secure loose garden furniture and clear roof drains before rain sets in.

On the road, double braking distance and turn headlights on during daylight showers.

Farmers: move machinery away from flood-prone fields and store harvested produce under cover.

Stay dry on Saturday—and enjoy the promised sunshine on Sunday while it lasts!