reveals the main weather trends for this Christmas week in the country.
Madeira with a more unstable start to the week
According to the expert, in the Madeira archipelago, a start to the week is expected to be marked by meteorological instability due to the passage of an isolated depression at altitude, known as “cold drop”. Between Monday (23) and Tuesday (24), especially on Monday, there may be locally heavy showers, sometimes accompanied by thunderstorms, mainly on the north coast and in mountainous areas. The risk of flooding located in historically vulnerable areas cannot be excluded. From Christmas Eve onwards, the weather should stabilize in the region.
Anticyclone dominates mainland Portugal and Azores
As for the mainland and the Azores, Alfredo Graça says that the anticyclone will guarantee stable conditions, with skies generally not cloudy or clear, and the absence of significant precipitation. The newly named Enol Depression, by Meteo-France, will not affect Portuguese territory. Thus, Christmas Eve (24) and Christmas Day (25) will be marked by dry weather, ruling out the chances of a “white Christmas”. According to meteorological models, it will rain significantly less than normal this season, with precipitation anomalies between -10 and -60 mm on the continent and in the archipelagos.
Temperatures and phenomena to consider
- Frost and fog: With the dominance of the anticyclone, ice and fog will be frequent phenomena, especially in the North and Center interior (Vila Real, Viseu, Bragança and Guarda). This scenario could make driving difficult due to reduced visibility and slippery roads, requiring extra attention from drivers.
- Temperatures: The maximum temperatures will vary between 8 ºC in Guarda and 18 ºC in Faro, while the minimum temperatures will vary between 0 ºC and 12 ºC. The coldest district capitals will be Guarda, Bragança and Vila Real. On the other hand, the autonomous regions will have temperatures above the climatological average.
Impact on air quality
The persistent anticyclone will also favor the accumulation of pollutants in some regions, especially on the coast and in urban areas on the continent, such as Lisbon and Porto, due to the lack of atmospheric ventilation.
Although weather conditions are generally stable and favorable for Christmas travel, specific phenomena such as fog, frost and possible instability in Madeira require attention to ensure a safe Christmas.
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