Portugal is grappling with its fourth winter storm in as many weeks, as Storm Kristin‘s devastating effects linger and meteorologists warn of further severe weather arriving imminently. The country is currently under a state of emergency – extended until February 8th – with over 167,000 homes still without power and a rising death toll now at nine. This report details the ongoing crisis, including concerns over dam capacity, potential landslides, and the government’s €2.5 billion aid package to address the widespread damage.
Portugal is bracing for further severe weather as the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of Storm Kristin. Meteorologists are now warning of new storms expected to arrive in the coming hours.
The first effects of an Atlantic low-pressure system began to be felt on Sunday evening, primarily in northern and central Portugal. According to forecasts from the national weather service, Ipma, a larger rain system is expected to move across the entire country overnight. “We are preparing for the worst-case scenario,” Coimbra Mayor Ana Abrunhosa told state broadcaster RTP. Concerns are mounting that dams and levees may not be able to withstand the anticipated volume of water. The government has since approved a €2.5 billion aid package.
Portugal, already battered by three winter storms, is preparing for more adverse weather with heavy rainfall expected to cause flooding. The national weather service Ipma warned that, in addition to significant precipitation that could turn to snow at higher elevations, the Atlantic low will also bring strong winds and high waves to the coast starting Sunday evening.
Authorities are also anticipating another rain front to arrive on Tuesday evening. They are urging residents to secure their belongings, vehicles, and livestock from low-lying areas along rivers and near reservoirs. The rivers Mondego, Douro, Águeda, and Tejo are expected to be particularly vulnerable to flooding.
Meteorologists are especially concerned that the ground is already saturated from the rainfall of previous storms and can absorb very little additional water, increasing the risk of landslides. Additionally, reservoirs are already full and will need to release water for safety reasons, potentially exacerbating flooding, RTP reported.
As of Sunday, February 1, over 167,000 households in Portugal remain without power. Significant problems persist in some cities following the passage of Storm Kristin on Wednesday, January 28, according to state broadcaster RTP. The government has extended the state of emergency until February 8.
Following the devastating Storm Kristin, thousands of people are still without electricity, water, and internet. The death toll has risen to nine, publico.pt reports. In the municipality of Leiria, a 74-year-old man died from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a generator, according to the report.
Makeshift repairs are being made to damaged roofs with plastic sheeting, but these are unlikely to withstand the approaching storms. The state weather service Ipma is warning of further Atlantic storms. Heavy rainfall and high waves (up to six meters) are expected in some coastal regions overnight on Monday, February 2. “Orange alert” has already been activated across much of the country. However, the unsettled weather is expected to continue throughout the week (until February 8) with heavy rain, snow in the mountains, and rough seas.
“Atmospheric rivers” over the Atlantic are transporting enormous amounts of moisture to Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Turkey, meteorologist Jan Schenk explained in a weather.com video. According to weather models, up to 500 liters of precipitation could accumulate in Portugal and Spain over the next nine days, Schenk said. Travelers in these countries should closely monitor weather warnings. The heavy rain, in particular, could quickly become dangerous on the coasts and in mountainous regions, with the potential for flooding, landslides, and inundation.
According to the German Weather Service (DWD), the effects of these “atmospheric rivers” can sometimes be extreme. Past flood disasters in the United States, England, and Norway have been linked to these phenomena.
Extreme Weather in Holiday Region: Multiple Deaths – Resorts Potentially Destroyed Forever
Table of Contents
- Extreme Weather in Holiday Region: Multiple Deaths – Resorts Potentially Destroyed Forever
- Storm Front Devastates Holiday Region in Portugal – Businesses Potentially Destroyed Forever
- Tornadoes, Desert Storms, Cyclones: Weather Phenomena You Should Know
- Unsettled Weather Continues: Warnings Now Also in Spain
Porto – Originally reported January 31, 2026
Nature is displaying its most brutal side: Storm Kristin swept over Portugal on Wednesday morning with the force of a hurricane, leaving a trail of devastation. At least six people lost their lives in the storm.
The strongest gusts hit the district of Coimbra, where peak values of 208 km/h were recorded in municipalities such as Figueira da Foz, Mira, and Cantanhede. By comparison, these wind speeds are equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Winds of 178 km/h were also registered at Monte Real Air Base. Extreme rainfall in the Mediterranean also contributed to severe weather conditions in the region.
Storm Front Devastates Holiday Region in Portugal – Businesses Potentially Destroyed Forever
A total of 5,400 emergency calls have been registered, mobilizing 18,000 emergency personnel. At times, according to Portuguese media reports, 485,000 households were without power, while 300,000 customers were affected by telecommunications outages. “As expected, this was an extreme weather event that has caused significant damage to various areas, infrastructure, and facilities in parts of the country,” a government statement said.
Unsettled Weather Continues: Warnings Now Also in Spain
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro rushed to the civil protection headquarters and stated: “A comprehensive assessment of the damage and the available tools to stabilize the situation as quickly as possible is already underway.”
Storm Kristin moved on to Spain during the week, with schools in Andalusia remaining closed and authorities warning of high waves along the mainland coast as well as on Mallorca. In Portugal, a red alert remains in effect for Porto, Viana do Castelo, and Braga due to extreme waves. Low Harry had previously wreaked havoc in the Mediterranean, unleashing extreme rainfall and meter-high waves. (Sources used: ANEPC, IPMA, government statement, Público, rtp) (moe)
