The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) increased the districts under yellow warning from 11 to 12 due to the forecast of cold weather and snowfall, by also including Portalegre.
The IPMA issued a yellow warning for the district of Portalegre due to the forecast of “persistence of low values of the minimum temperature” between 7am this Saturday and 6am on Tuesday. Also under yellow warning due to the cold weather, which has now been extended until 6am on Tuesday, are the districts of Bragança, Viseu, Guarda, Vila Real, Castelo Branco and Aveiro.
These districts, as well as Porto, Viana do Castelo, Leiria, Coimbra and Braga, are also under yellow warning until 3 pm due to the forecast of “snowfall above 600/800 meters in altitude, which can accumulate up to five cm [centímetros] above 800 meters”.
The yellow warning, the least serious, is issued by the IPMA whenever there is a risk situation for certain activities depending on the weather situation.
The institute warns of possible disturbances caused by the accumulation of snow and possible formation of ice, such as conditioned or blocked roads, damage to structures or trees or impaired local supplies.
The IPMA predicts cold weather in the coming days, with a drop in the maximum temperature between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius, due to an air mass with polar origin.
For this Saturday, the forecast is for showers, which will be snow in the highlands, and sometimes strong wind in the highlands and coastal strip of the southern region, with the possibility of the formation of ice or frost, especially in the interior of the country.
Due to the predictions of the IPMA, the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC) issued a warning to the population of the risks of poisoning by inhaling gases due to inadequate ventilation and fires in homes resulting from the misuse of fireplaces and braziers or malfunctions. in electrical circuits.
Civil protection also draws attention to the dangers of slippery floors and the possible formation of water and ice sheets, as well as the possibility of falling branches or trees due to strong winds.
ANEPC also advises citizens to avoid prolonged exposure to the cold, to wear several layers of clothing and to be cautious about physical activity outside.