10 November 2026 Curated by Vishaljeet Singh, Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal has declared a nationwide civil-protection alert for the mainland on Wednesday, 11 November, as Storm Charles approaches with forecasts of destructive winds, intense rainfall and dangerous coastal conditions. Schools, including nurseries and pre-school facilities, and non-essential public services will be closed for the day. Outdoor events are suspended, while access to parks, forests and other wooded areas identified as high-risk will be temporarily restricted.
The alert will run from 00:00 to 23:59 on 11 November under an order published in Portugal’s official gazette on 10 November. Authorities have raised emergency readiness and urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and remain indoors where possible as the weather system moves across the country.
Eight districts placed under red weather warning
The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has placed eight mainland districts under a red warning for Wednesday because of exceptionally strong winds. The districts are:
Beja
Évora
Faro
Leiria
Lisbon
Portalegre
Santarém
Setúbal
The remaining mainland districts are under orange warnings. Forecast gusts are expected to reach 100–120 kilometres per hour in several areas and could approach 140 kilometres per hour in the most exposed locations. Authorities are also warning of heavy rain, local flooding, falling trees and damage to temporary structures.
What Storm Charles could bring
The approaching depression is expected to intensify weather conditions already affected by another system, Bruna. The exact path and strength of Charles remain uncertain, but the forecast points to a period of severe wind and rain across mainland Portugal on Wednesday.
Lisbon has already experienced flooding on sections of the Segunda Circular, one of the city’s important road corridors. Heavy rainfall has also left roads waterlogged in other parts of the country. Emergency officials have warned that further disruption to electricity and communications is possible if trees, branches or other objects damage power lines and infrastructure.
Madeira is also facing a separate period of severe weather. The IPMA has issued red warnings for the island’s southern coast and mountainous areas, with the strongest conditions expected from Tuesday evening into Wednesday. Forecasts include persistent rain, powerful gusts and rough seas. The mainland civil-protection order should not be confused with the separate warning arrangements for the autonomous regions.
Schools and non-essential public services to close
The government’s alert declaration orders the closure of public, private and social-sector educational establishments on the mainland, including nurseries and pre-school facilities. Non-essential public services will also close on Wednesday.
Outdoor events are suspended regardless of their nature. Temporary structures and objects that could become dangerous in strong winds—including scaffolding, advertising boards, awnings, roofs and suspended installations—must be secured, removed or closed where necessary.
Authorities may also restrict access to parks, gardens, woods, forests and other tree-covered areas where falling trees or branches pose a serious risk. Local emergency and civil-protection bodies will coordinate the implementation of these measures.
Transport and daily life could face disruption
Strong crosswinds can make driving difficult, particularly on bridges, exposed roads and routes used by high-sided vehicles. Flooded streets and fallen branches may also cause sudden road closures. Commuters should check local transport and municipal updates before setting out and avoid driving through water-covered roads.
Air and sea services may also be affected by wind and rough conditions. Passengers should confirm flight, ferry and rail information directly with their operators rather than assume that normal schedules will continue. Port and coastal authorities may impose restrictions where conditions become unsafe.
Power cuts and communications interruptions are possible, according to civil-protection officials. Residents should keep mobile phones charged, have a torch available and follow instructions from local authorities. People should stay away from beaches, sea walls, riverbanks and exposed coastal promenades during periods of dangerous waves and wind.
Safety advice for residents
Stay indoors: Avoid unnecessary journeys during the strongest winds and rainfall.
Secure loose objects: Bring in or fasten balcony furniture, plant pots, signs and other items that could be blown away.
Avoid trees and forests: Do not enter parks, wooded areas or locations closed by local authorities.
Keep away from the coast: Do not approach breaking waves, sea walls or exposed waterfront areas.
Prepare for outages: Charge phones and keep essential medicines, drinking water and a torch accessible.
Drive carefully: Avoid flooded roads and never attempt to cross moving floodwater.
Follow official alerts: Monitor IPMA, Civil Protection and municipal announcements for local instructions.
Emergency services move to maximum readiness
Portugal’s National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority has raised its readiness level to the highest operational stage in anticipation of the deterioration. Officials have warned that the country could face power and communications cuts and have asked employers and residents to take the exceptional conditions seriously.
The alert declaration activates regional coordination structures so that emergency services, public bodies and other institutions can work together. It also requires media organisations and mobile telecommunications operators to cooperate in communicating relevant safety information to the public.
What residents should check before Wednesday
Residents should confirm whether their municipality has announced additional closures or restrictions, particularly in areas exposed to flooding, landslides or falling trees. Parents should check school communications, while workers should contact employers about arrangements for the closure of non-essential public services and any remote-working measures.
The forecast remains subject to changes in the storm’s trajectory and intensity. Warnings can be upgraded, extended or adjusted as meteorologists receive new observations, so the latest IPMA and Civil Protection updates should take precedence over older forecasts.
Bottom line
Portugal is preparing for a severe weather day on 11 November as Storm Charles approaches. The mainland alert closes schools and non-essential public services, suspends outdoor events and restricts access to high-risk wooded areas. Eight districts face red wind warnings, with gusts potentially reaching 140 kilometres per hour in exposed locations. Residents should avoid unnecessary travel, secure loose objects and follow official instructions as conditions develop.
This report reflects the Portuguese government’s alert order and weather information available on 10 November 2026. The civil-protection alert described here applies to mainland Portugal; Madeira has separate weather warnings and local instructions. Forecasts and restrictions may change.
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