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The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) announced late on Monday that Storm Leonardo is expected to affect mainland Portugal from Tuesday afternoon through Saturday, with neighbouring Spain anticipated to feel its effects from Wednesday. Forecasters predict persistent, heavy rainfall and wind gusts reaching up to 75 km/h (47 mph) along the coast south of Cabo Mondego, and 95 km/h in higher elevations.
Leonardo’s gusts are expected to be less severe than the more than 200 km/h winds unleashed by Storm Kristin, which struck central Portugal last Wednesday, killing at least six people and leaving widespread destruction across homes, factories, and vital infrastructure. However, the new storm still poses a significant threat.
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Andalucía in Spain is bracing for a severe weather emergency this Wednesday – and a “red alert” has been issued for parts of Cadiz and Malaga provinces. All Andalusian provinces are under a weather warning on Wednesday, whether that is yellow, amber or red, the latter in the village of Grazalema (Cadiz), the Ronda mountains and the Campo de Gibraltar.
The districts first in line for Leonardo’s effects in Portugal will be the Algarve and Baixa Alentejo. Starting from the end of this afternoon, these areas can expect “persistent rain, and high winds that could reach 75km/ hour in the Algarve, and 95km/ hour on high ground.
This ‘frontal system’ will gradually extend to other regions of the country during Wednesday. This is the main concern of authorities as persistent rain is set to hit territories already already suffering swollen rivers and waterways from Storm Kirstin.
The risks to life and property posed by Leonardo are expected to continue into Thursday. As a result of these forecasts, IPMA has issued yellow alerts (the lowest in the scale) for the districts of Faro, Setúbal and Beja for persistent rain between 6pm this evening and 3pm tomorrow, and from 9pm tomorrow until 9am on Thursday.
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The districts of Santarém, Lisbon, Leiria, Castelo Branco, Coimbra and Portalegre, are also on yellow alert for persistent rain from 9pm on Wednesday to 9am on Thursday. Orange alerts have been issued for coastal areas of the Algarve, Porto, Faro, Setúbal, Viana do Castelo, Lisbon, Leiria, Beja, Aveiro, Coimbra and Braga – where waves could reach 11 metres.
There are also orange alerts for snowfall in the districts of Viseu, Porto, Guarda, Vila Real, Viana do Castelo, Aveiro, Castelo Branco, Coimbra e Braga. The depression will remain over Portugal until Saturday.
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