Weekend Alert: Showers, Gale Winds and Frosty Nights in Portugal

Portugal’s first weekend of the new year will swing from drenched streets to clear but chilly skies, bringing rain-soaked mornings, gusty afternoons and a sharp temperature drop by Sunday night. From Lisbon’s commuters to farmers in Trás-os-Montes, everyone will need both an umbrella and a winter coat before Monday dawns.

Fast takeaways for busy readers

• Frequent showers on Saturday, heaviest in the South and Lisbon.

• Sunny spells emerge Sunday, yet a polar air mass drags lows near 0 °C inland.

• IPMA issues yellow alerts for rain, wind and coastal swell, especially in the Algarve.

• Expect icy roads north of the Douro from late Sunday; plan travel accordingly.

Why the weather is misbehaving

Meteorologists blame the depression “Francis”, a vigorous Atlantic system sweeping ashore on Friday night. It pulls subtropical moisture toward the Algarve while trailing a cold conveyor belt that unlocks Arctic-sourced air over the interior. The clash explains Saturday’s thunderstorms and Monday’s biting dawn temperatures.

Regional snapshot

Lisbon & Tagus Valley

Saturday dawns with torrential bursts, possible granizo and southerly wind gusts around 80 km/h. Daytime highs flirt with 15 °C, but the mercury tumbles after dark. Sunday turns brighter; still, early commuters on Monday should brace for 6 °C lows and slick pavements if Tuesday’s predicted showers arrive.

Norte & Minho

A relative lull compared with the south: quick-fire showers on Saturday morning, then patchy sunshine nudging coastal highs toward 18 °C—unusual warmth for January. Don’t be fooled: overnight readings slide to 2 °C Sunday and may dip below -1 °C in Bragança by Monday, with geada likely on secondary roads.

Centro & Serra da Estrela

Persistent drizzle blankets Coimbra and Leiria until late Sunday. In higher ground, wind-driven sleet could dust the ski slopes with the season’s first flakes. Thermometers hover between 1 °C and 10 °C through Tuesday, but the absence of rain from Monday afternoon should help holiday traffic on the A1.

Algarve & Lower Alentejo

Prepare for the weekend’s roughest weather. IPMA warns of downpours capable of causing flash floods, especially along Faro’s coastline. Thunderstorms may deliver small hail and winds topping 50 km/h. Conditions ease Sunday afternoon, clearing the way for 14 °C highs once the polar air fails to reach this far south.

Atlantic islands – Azores & Madeira

The Azores enjoy a brief reprieve Saturday under broken cloud and 16 °C highs. Sun dominates Sunday, but fresh Atlantic fronts return Tuesday night. Madeira faces stricter orange warnings for maritime swell and mountain gusts through Saturday; travellers should monitor potential ferry and cable-car disruptions.

Transport & safety outlook

Portuguese civil protection services flag three main hazards:

Aquaplaning on the A2, A22 and urban IC arteries during Saturday’s peak showers.

Tree or sign blow-downs in coastal districts where gusts exceed 80 km/h.

Black ice on EN15 and IP4 after sunset Sunday.

Ports such as Ericeira remain closed to small fishing craft until at least Sunday noon due to 4-metre southwest waves. Drivers of high-profile vehicles should avoid exposed viaducts in the Beira Interior overnight.

A changing January: the bigger picture

January is traditionally Portugal’s wettest month, yet climate records show an upward shift in both average temperature and the intensity of single-day rainfall events. Last January ranked as the sixth warmest since 1931; this weekend’s temperature roller-coaster fits the pattern of more volatile winters—warm pulses, then steep cold snaps—highlighted by IPMA scientists.

Home checklist before the front hits

Secure loose items on balconies, clear drains of leaves, and double-check rooftop tiles. Keep flashlights and power banks charged in case of short outages. For early-morning joggers, layer up and mind slippery calçadas. Lastly, track real-time updates on the IPMA website or its mobile app; forecasts will refine hourly as Francis exits and the polar air settles.

Keeping an eye on these shifts will help you dodge the worst downpours, plan safer trips and maybe even catch a rare winter sunbreak between the showers.