The IPMA acknowledges that Kristin “may have been the strongest storm” since records began. For the coming days, the outlook remains for heavy rain — but not with the strength of this low-pressure system.
Kristin may have been the strongest storm on record
Saturday, 31 January 2026RSS
Context & Explainers
Storm Kristin was a named Atlantic storm that struck Portugal in late 2024, bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds (gusts exceeding 100 km/h in some areas), and significant coastal wave action. The storm caused widespread flooding, roof collapses, fallen trees, and power outages across several districts.
IPMA issued orange and red warnings for affected regions, and ANEPC activated emergency response plans. The impact was particularly severe in flood-prone areas of the Lisbon metropolitan area and the Tagus and Mondego river basins, where drainage systems were overwhelmed.
Storm Kristin highlighted recurring vulnerabilities in Portugal's infrastructure during extreme weather events — including urban drainage capacity, riverbank management, and the need for updated emergency response coordination. Residents in storm-affected areas were advised to follow civil protection guidance, avoid coastal zones and riverbanks, and report damage through municipal services.
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.
