Storm Bruna Cancels Flights and Halts Ferries in Madeira
More than 42 flights and maritime ferry connections between Madeira and Porto Santo were cancelled as Storm Bruna (depressão Bruna) struck the archipelago under an orange weather alert (aviso laranja).
Madeira's regional civil protection service registered 26 weather-related incidents, primarily fallen trees and blocked roads. The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera or IPMA) also placed eight mainland districts and the Azores under yellow weather warnings (avisos amarelos) for heavy precipitation and strong wind gusts. The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil or ANEPC) warned mainland residents to prepare for localized flooding and landslides through the week.
IPMA (Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera) is Portugal's national authority for weather, ocean, and climate monitoring. It produces weather forecasts, issues severe weather warnings, monitors seismic activity, and provides marine and atmospheric data.
IPMA uses a four-level color-coded warning system: green (no risk), yellow (potential risk), orange (moderate-to-high risk), and red (extreme risk). These warnings cover conditions such as heavy rain, strong winds, extreme heat, cold snaps, rough seas, and snow.
Residents should monitor IPMA forecasts during storm season (typically October–March) and heatwaves (July–August). IPMA bulletins are used by civil protection authorities, transport operators, and local councils to make decisions about road closures, school suspensions, and evacuation orders.
Website: ipma.pt
The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil or ANEPC) oversees disaster planning, emergency operations, and civil protection across mainland Portugal. Operating under the Ministry of Internal Administration, the agency coordinates the national firefighting network and issues warnings for severe weather, floods, and wildfires. Residents and visitors rely on ANEPC bulletins and SMS alerts for evacuation instructions and safety notices during extreme climate events.
