Latest news and stories about public safety in Madeira, Portugal for expats and residents.
The sea agitation warning is upgraded from yellow to orange from 00:00 until 09:00 on Thursday.
The orange warning is issued by the IPMA whenever there is a meteorological situation of moderate to high risk.
Warnings for strong wind and rough seas remain in effect until 06:00 on Wednesday, according to IPMA. It also suggests that “vessel owners and operators take the necessary precautions.”
The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera or IPMA) has warned that Storm Therese (Depressão Therese) will affect the mainland and Madeira through Saturday. Residents should expect intense rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds, with snow possible at high altitudes in Madeira. Sea conditions will also worsen, particularly along the southern coast and in mountainous regions. Residents should check local weather updates before traveling.
IPMA is the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera), the national agency for weather, marine forecasts and climate monitoring. Residents should watch its forecasts and warnings during storms, heatwaves or cold snaps because IPMA issues official advisories used by services, transport operators and local authorities.
The warning for rough seas is active between 3:00 PM on Wednesday and 12:00 PM on Thursday, covering the north and south coasts of Madeira and Porto Santo, with waves forecast to reach up to five metres.
Showers are expected, sometimes heavy and accompanied by thunderstorms.
The Madeira archipelago in Portugal is under alert due to severe weather conditions caused by the passing depression Therese. From Tuesday to at least Friday, the region will experience heavy rain, thunderstorms, strong winds (up to 130 km/h), and significant maritime agitation with waves reaching 10-12 meters. Snow is also expected above 1,400-1,500 meters altitude. These conditions may lead to fallen trees, infrastructure damage, flooding, and coastal erosion. The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere has issued yellow weather warnings, and authorities advise caution during this period.
The firefighter who assaulted his wife in Madeira has been reinstated in the Machico corporation by court decision. He returns to work on April 1st.
In August, the 35-year-old man was placed in preventive detention after an assault on his wife was recorded and circulated on social media. He has been reinstated in his former job following his wife's forgiveness.
Público highlights this Wednesday, March 11, that the government is allocating 15 million euros to restore beaches before summer. According to Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho, in an interview to be published on Thursday, bad weather has caused damage to the coastline that will require 200 million euros in repair works. The Portuguese Environment Agency is presenting a report on the damage today. The paper also reports on a political crisis in one of the three municipalities held by the Chega party. The mayor of São Vicente, in Madeira, has stripped Helena Freitas and Fábio Costa of their portfolios, demanding their resignation after they voted against an executive proposal. Jornal de Notícias notes that fuel prices are rising again, with petrol seeing the largest increase, despite a drop in oil and gas prices following Donald Trump's comments on the Iran conflict. Correio da Manhã reports a surge in scams involving fake accidents, targeting elderly drivers, with PSP police recording 853 complaints in five years. Expresso writes that Constitutional Court President José João Abrantes was the rapporteur in the case involving the Prime Minister and the Transparency Entity, deciding not to hear Luís Montenegro's appeal to keep the Spinumviva client list private. Observador discusses the Iran conflict, while Diário de Notícias highlights the launch of the first centralized Obstetrics emergency unit in Loures on the 16th, albeit only with additional nursing staff. Negócios reports that the Iran conflict threatens the automotive sector, with DBRS warning of potential setbacks as Volkswagen announces 50,000 job cuts. Eco notes that industry leaders anticipate a severe impact on costs, with the potential for further layoffs and closures.
The aggressor has been at liberty since December 17th after the victim decided to forgive him.
The aggressor has been at liberty since December 17th after the victim decided to forgive him.
In 2025, a total of 310 crimes were reported on streets covered by the system, with a decrease from 169 to 141 crimes recorded between the first and second half of the year (-17.6%).
The article reports that Portugal, specifically the Madeira archipelago, is experiencing adverse weather conditions due to the depression “Regina.” The worst of the storm has passed, but a yellow warning remains for rough seas with waves up to 5 meters on the northern coast of Madeira and Porto Santo, and up to 4.5 meters on the southern coast. The Port Authority of Funchal has issued alerts for strong sea agitation and wind, with wind speeds reaching force 7 (51-62 km/h). Authorities advise maritime owners and the public to take precautions, such as securing vessels, avoiding coastal areas, and refraining from recreational fishing near cliffs and exposed zones. The weather forecast includes very cloudy skies, snow, and strong north winds, indicating ongoing challenging conditions in the region.
The archipelago is being affected by Storm Regina, which is expected to impact the weather conditions until Wednesday morning.
Flooding may occur in urban areas, drainage difficulties, coastal overtopping, among other incidents.
This article reports on the impact of Storm Regina affecting Madeira, Portugal. The storm has brought strong winds, heavy rain, and rough seas, leading to significant disruptions. Approximately 50 flights at Madeira's international airport were canceled as of early Monday, with further disruptions expected. Winds are forecasted to intensify, reaching up to 110 km/h on land and 80 km/h on the mainland, with gusts up to 120 km/h in Madeira's highlands. The sea is very agitated, with waves up to 11 meters, prompting orange alerts for wind and maritime conditions. Authorities advise caution due to the severe weather conditions.
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Strong wind warnings, poor visibility, and high sea agitation have also been issued for the coastal area until 6:00 PM on Monday.
The Capitania do Porto do Funchal has issued a weather warning for the Madeira archipelago, forecasting strong winds reaching force 8, equivalent to speeds of 63 to 74 kilometers per hour. This advisory highlights potential adverse weather conditions affecting the region.
Air restrictions may continue in the coming days. Passengers are advised to check for updates before heading to the airport.
The official states that underground cables reduce the likelihood of failures and the duration of outages when they occur.
The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has issued a yellow warning for the Madeira archipelago today due to strong winds. The advisory signals elevated risk to public safety and potential disruption to transport and maritime operations; residents and visitors are advised to follow local guidance and monitor updates from authorities. The situation warrants vigilance but does not currently indicate the most severe weather categories.
A low-pressure system named Francis is forecast to affect Madeira at around 03:00, prompting an orange weather warning for the early hours. Emergency services have issued alerts advising the public to take precautions against heavy rain, strong winds and possible flooding, with authorities monitoring conditions and readiness for response.
