Storm Charles Portugal and Madeira, Digi Mart USA News (Portugal): Worsening weather conditions in mainland Portugal and the Madeira archipelago will continue until the weekend, with IPMA meteorologist Jorge Ponte warning of the possibility of a “severe situation” on Wednesday.
Speaking on SIC Notícias, Ponte pointed to two different weather models. One shows areas of Portugal fairly battered by Charles, while the other shows them coming off much more lightly.
The question is which model is correct.
In Ponte’s view, people should be forewarned. Wednesday is the moment when things could get a little hairy, and areas prone to flooding could start filling up with water.
With Storm Bruna still meandering around, conditions are due to worsen from the afternoon. “We already have yellow warnings issued, but those warnings will be raised to orange level in some districts,” said Ponte.
Charles will start by bearing down on the Madeira archipelago, which has already been battered by Bruna, and then move toward the mainland, arriving early on Wednesday with considerably more rain and strong winds.
Speaking to CNN Portugal, climatologist Mário Marques gave more detail on Charles, which he described as a “low-pressure system” with “high humidity.” He said it has a subtropical origin, coming from east of the Bahamas, and that satellite images show it contains a large amount of water vapour.
The greatest risk, according to Marques, stems from the possibility of rain “remaining over the same areas for several hours.” Jorge Ponte also mentioned rivers such as the Mondego, so authorities need to remain aware while residents prepare.
