Portugal faces thunderstorm warnings, hail and extreme fire danger on Sunday as 12 districts under yellow alert

Warnings across the country

The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has placed twelve districts under yellow warning, the lowest of a three‑level scale, due to forecasts of showers and thunderstorm. In the north, Porto, Viana do Castelo, Aveiro and Braga are under alert until 9:00 a.m. Further inland, Bragança, Viseu, Guarda, Vila Real, Castelo Branco (since 3:09 a.m.), Santarém, Coimbra and Portalegre (since noon) remain under warning until 9:00 p.m. The warnings flag a risk for weather‑dependent activities.

Overnight storms and rare coastal fog

Thunderstorms already struck several locations across the north and centre overnight. Social media images show lightning in Bragança and Guarda, and hail fell around Mirandela. IPMA meteorologist Paula Leitão described the situation as unusual.

The day began with a lot of thunderstorm; heavy precipitation was recorded in some places, but in most sites where there was thunder it did not even rain. In fact, today we are in a very unusual situation, with low clouds and fog over large parts of the coast, including the southern region – the Algarve has a layer of low clouds and, at the same time, thunderstorms are occurring, and this is very rare.

Fire danger persists despite downpours

Even with the unsettled weather, the risk of rural fires remains elevated. The IPMA keeps 26 municipalities across nine districts – including Bragança, Viseu, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Leiria, Santarém, Portalegre, Évora and Beja – at maximum fire danger, and several others at very high risk. The danger rating, computed from air temperature, humidity, wind speed and 24‑hour rainfall, still signals that any ignition could spread rapidly. Authorities urge the public to avoid any activity that might spark a fire in rural areas.

Daytime forecast and temperature range

During the afternoon the interaction of hot surface air with a cold upper‑level low will produce further showers, thunder and possible hail, especially in the north and centre. Gusty winds may accompany the storm cells. Maximum temperatures will vary between 23 degrees Celsius in Sines and 31 degrees in Évora, with a slight drop on the west coast.

Outlook for the week ahead

The instability is expected to decrease gradually from Monday onward. However, the IPMA warns that conditions favourable to wildfire propagation will continue in several regions, keeping the danger high even after the thunderstorms pass.