IPMA described Kristin as an “explosive cyclogenesis”, a term used for very intense depressions affecting both wind and rain.
75-year-old man rehoused in Luso, Mealhada due to bad weather
Wednesday, 28 January 2026RSS
Context & Explainers
A red warning is the highest alert level issued by Portugal's weather agency, the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and the Atmosphere (Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera or IPMA), used when conditions pose a very high risk to life and property. Under a red warning authorities may close roads, suspend transport and advise people to avoid coastal and flood‑prone areas, so follow civil protection instructions during the Friday–Saturday storm period.
An amber warning (aviso laranja) is the national weather alert issued by IPMA that signals dangerous conditions are expected and may cause damage or disruption; it is one step below the highest (red) level. It typically covers heavy rain, flooding, strong winds or high seas, so you should avoid non-essential travel, follow local Proteção Civil and municipal instructions, and prepare for possible power or water outages over the coming days.
An atmospheric river is a long, narrow band of very moist air—often thousands of kilometres long and a few hundred kilometres wide—that transports huge amounts of water vapor across the ocean and onto land. When it reaches Portugal (expected after Tuesday in this forecast) it can drop intense rain—commonly tens to a few hundred millimetres in 24 hours—producing river flooding, coastal inundation and landslides; follow forecasts from the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera) and prepare for possible road closures and property flooding.
A meteorological depression is a low-pressure weather system that brings unsettled conditions such as strong winds, persistent rain, rough seas and sometimes snow. In Portugal the national weather agency IPMA (Portuguese Institute for the Sea and the Atmosphere, Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera) issues warnings for depressions because they can cause travel disruption, flooding and power outages.
Local accommodation (alojamento local) means short-term tourist rentals—private apartments, houses or rooms rented for days or weeks—that must be registered and licensed with municipal authorities. Municipalities can suspend or cancel licences (Lisbon cancelled about 6,700 licences in early 2026), so travellers and hosts should check a listing's registration and local rules before booking or offering stays.
