Portugal is on red alert as Storm Ingrid sweeps across the country on Friday, January 23, bringing heavy snow to northern highlands and violent seas along the Atlantic coast that are disrupting travel, closing schools and marinas, and forcing authorities to issue some of the most serious weather warnings in recent years.

More News

Red Weather Alerts as Storm Ingrid Intensifies

The Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has placed several northern districts, including Braga, Porto, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real and Viseu, under a red warning for heavy snowfall from midnight Friday into Saturday morning. Forecasts point to snow accumulations of 20 to 30 centimeters above 800 meters, with the freezing level dropping rapidly and ice expected to form on mountain roads and exposed surfaces.

At the same time, a separate red alert for maritime conditions covers much of Portugal’s western seaboard, where northwest waves with a significant height of 7 to 9 meters could occasionally reach up to 15 meters. Coastal districts such as Porto, Aveiro, Coimbra, Leiria, Lisbon, Setúbal, Beja, Faro and Viana do Castelo are bracing for extremely rough seas from early Saturday, with authorities warning of a high risk to anyone approaching breakwaters, cliffs, or exposed coastal walkways.

These red alerts represent the most serious level in IPMA’s warning system and are reserved for situations that pose a clear danger to life and property. Officials describe Ingrid as the most impactful storm so far this winter, coming on the heels of several weeks of unsettled weather but with a combination of snow, wind and ocean swell that is unusually intense and widespread.

While the most severe alerts apply to the north and the coast, much of the rest of mainland Portugal is under orange or yellow warnings for heavy rain, strong winds and occasional thunderstorms. The unsettled conditions are expected to persist at least until Saturday evening, with a gradual improvement possible from Sunday as Ingrid tracks northeast toward the British Isles.

Travel Disruption and Closures Across the Country

The passing of Storm Ingrid is already reshaping travel plans across Portugal. In the northern interior, authorities have preemptively closed or restricted access on several mountain roads, particularly in the Serra da Estrela and other highland areas above 800 meters where heavy snowfall and ice are expected to make driving treacherous. Local officials are advising motorists to avoid nonessential journeys, especially at night and in elevated terrain.

In coastal cities, municipal civil protection services are issuing warnings about possible flooding in low-lying waterfront areas and along river mouths where runoff from heavy rain coincides with storm-driven high tides. Some riverside roads and promenades are being temporarily closed, and parking has been suspended in areas known to flood during severe Atlantic storms.

Public transport operators are also preparing for disruption. Rail services through mountainous northern corridors may be delayed or curtailed if snow accumulates on tracks, while road coaches connecting interior towns face the possibility of cancellations if conditions worsen. Urban bus networks in Porto and other northern cities have contingency plans to alter or suspend routes on steep hills that become unsafe when covered in snow or ice.

Airports remain open, but travelers are being urged to check their flight status before heading to the terminal. While Ingrid is not expected to bring hurricane-force winds to major airports, crosswinds and poor visibility could lead to delays, particularly during peak periods of heavy precipitation. Airlines have already issued flexible rebooking policies for passengers traveling to or from affected regions over the next 24 hours.

Impact on Tourism, Coastal Towns and Winter Resorts

For Portugal’s tourism sector, Ingrid arrives at a traditionally quieter time of year but still poses challenges for coastal destinations and city-break travelers. Seafront areas of popular towns such as Cascais, Nazaré, Figueira da Foz and the Algarve’s western coast are under close watch as waves build throughout Friday night and early Saturday. Local authorities have urged residents and visitors alike to stay well back from piers, exposed viewpoints and cliff edges during the height of the storm.

Winter sports operators in the Serra da Estrela region and other northern mountain areas are preparing for an abrupt change in conditions. After recent milder spells and rain, heavy new snowfall could improve skiing and snowboarding opportunities in the days following Ingrid. However, in the short term, strong winds and low visibility may force ski lifts to close, and avalanche risk in steep off-piste terrain could increase as fresh snow settles over older layers.

In the Algarve, where winter usually offers mild weather and golf-orientated tourism, meteorologists are not excluding the prospect of snow on the highest points of the Serra de Monchique. Any snowfall there would be light and short-lived, but the broader pattern of heavy rain, gusty winds and cooler temperatures is likely to disrupt outdoor activities, coastal walks and boat excursions that remain popular with off-season visitors.

Hotel managers along the coast report an uptick in cancellations and date changes from domestic travelers who had planned weekend getaways, while international guests already in Portugal are largely opting to remain indoors during the period of worst weather. For those who do venture out, tourism authorities are emphasizing safe, storm-aware choices such as exploring museums, restaurants and indoor cultural attractions away from exposed waterfronts.

Emergency Services, Preparedness and Public Guidance

Portugal’s National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection has moved to a heightened state of readiness as Ingrid makes landfall, coordinating with municipal services, firefighters, police and volunteer organizations across the mainland. Additional crews are on standby to respond to flooding, fallen trees, damaged roofs and power cuts, while call centers are reinforcing staff to handle a surge in emergency reports.

The Portuguese Red Cross has issued a series of public recommendations focused on protecting vulnerable populations from cold, isolation and sudden infrastructure failures. People living alone, the elderly, those with chronic health conditions and families in rural or mountainous areas are being encouraged to prepare warm clothing and blankets, ensure an adequate stock of basic food and medicines, and keep mobile phones fully charged in case of power outages.

Authorities have renewed guidance for residents in areas prone to river flooding or urban flash floods to move vehicles to higher ground, clear drainage channels where safe to do so, and avoid walking or driving through standing water. With the combination of saturated soils, strong winds and heavy bursts of rain, there is an elevated risk of trees toppling and loose objects becoming airborne, prompting reminders to secure balconies, garden furniture and construction materials.

Civil Protection has also emphasized the importance of following official channels for weather and safety updates instead of relying on social media rumors. Local radio, national broadcasters and municipal websites are providing regular bulletins in Portuguese and, in some tourist areas, additional information in English to assist foreign visitors who may be unfamiliar with IPMA’s alert system.

Snow at Unusually Low Altitudes in the North and Centre

One of the defining features of Storm Ingrid is the depth of cold air sweeping down from the northwest, allowing snow to fall at altitudes significantly lower than those typically seen in Portuguese winters. Forecasters expect snow in northern and central regions from as low as 200 to 600 meters in some valleys and hills, a level that could temporarily blanket towns which only rarely see accumulating snowfall.

In districts such as Braga, Vila Real and Viseu, residents woke on Friday to cold rain that is forecast to transition to sleet and snow as temperatures drop through the evening and overnight. Mountain communities in the Peneda-Gerês and Marão ranges are preparing for road closures and potential isolation if snow depth reaches the upper-end forecast of more than 20 centimeters. Snowplows and road salt teams are being deployed preemptively, but officials concede that some smaller routes may become impassable for several hours or more.

Further south, areas of the central interior including parts of Guarda, Castelo Branco, Coimbra and Aveiro districts are under orange warnings for snow, with accumulations expected at higher elevations but with the possibility of lighter falls even in areas that more commonly see cold rain. Residents are being reminded to check heating systems, protect outdoor pipes from freezing and take extra care with wood-burning stoves to avoid fire risks in tightly sealed winter homes.

The return of widespread snow after a series of milder winters is likely to attract curiosity and, in some cases, crowds of visitors to the hills once conditions improve. For now, however, police are cautioning against leisure trips into the mountains during the storm itself, citing previous incidents where day-trippers seeking snow encounters became stranded on icy roads or required rescue due to sudden changes in visibility and temperature.

Violent Seas Threaten Maritime Operations and Coastal Safety

Along Portugal’s exposed Atlantic coastline, Ingrid’s most striking impact is expected to be the sea state. IPMA’s maritime alerts warn of northwest swells building rapidly into Friday night, with the largest waves expected between the early hours of Saturday and late afternoon, coinciding in some areas with high tides. Wave heights in the 7 to 9 meter range are forecast to be common, with individual waves potentially reaching up to 15 meters on western coastal stretches.

As a result, the maritime authority has either closed or heavily restricted access to numerous ports and fishing harbors, particularly along the central and northern coast. Commercial shipping movements are being adjusted where possible to avoid port entries or departures at the peak of the storm, and many small-scale fishing vessels have been ordered to remain in harbor. Surf schools and recreational boating operators, which operate year-round in some tourist hotspots, have suspended activities until at least Sunday.

Experience from previous Atlantic storms has led authorities to adopt a zero-tolerance stance toward risk-taking near the water. During past red sea-state warnings, incidents have occurred when onlookers ventured onto piers, sea walls or cliff edges to photograph giant waves. Municipalities from Viana do Castelo down to the Algarve have issued specific warnings for residents and visitors to stay away from coastal roads, rocky headlands and river mouths, even if conditions appear calmer between squalls.

Coastal erosion is another concern in several locations where winter storms in recent years have undercut dunes and weakened protective beaches. Ingrid’s powerful swell could accelerate that process, prompting local councils to monitor vulnerable stretches for new damage. Any significant erosion may have implications not only for coastal ecosystems but also for the infrastructure that underpins seaside tourism when the high season returns.

Advice for Residents and Travelers in Portugal

For people currently in Portugal or planning imminent travel, authorities are urging a cautious, flexible approach over the coming days. Residents in affected regions are being asked to stay indoors as much as possible during the peak hours of heavy snow, wind and waves, to check on neighbors who may need assistance, and to keep emergency numbers handy in case of downed power lines, flooded basements or fallen trees.

Domestic tourists and international visitors are advised to review their itineraries and consider postponing trips to high-risk areas, such as mountain passes, exposed headlands and remote rural roads. Those who must travel by car are encouraged to carry warm clothing, water, snacks and a fully charged phone, and to maintain a safe following distance on wet or icy roads. In mountain regions, snow chains may be required on certain routes, and drivers should follow signage and instructions from police roadblocks without attempting to bypass closures.

Travelers staying in hotels or guesthouses are finding that most properties remain open, with staff prepared to accommodate guests for longer stays if transport disruptions make departures difficult. Many accommodations are enhancing communication with guests through in-house notices and briefings at reception, highlighting safe indoor alternatives and providing updates on public transport and road conditions.

While Ingrid is expected to move away from Portugal by late Saturday, forecasters note that residual cold air, lingering showers and elevated river levels could prolong certain impacts into Sunday. Residents and visitors alike are being reminded that the red alerts signal a serious, dynamic situation and that flexibility, patience and attention to official advice are key to staying safe while the country weathers one of its most intense winter storms in recent years.