The most intense gust of wind registered this Wednesday, March 19, in mainland Portugal, reached 158.8 km/h, by the depression Martin. The value was measured at the FOIA meteorological station, in the Algarve, belonging to the official network of the Portuguese Institute of Sea and the atmosphere (IPMA).
This record stands out among several high measurements caused by the depression Martin, which has affected the national territory with strong wind, rain and maritime agitation.
Other records
In addition to FOIA, eight other IPMA weather stations, distributed throughout the Portuguese continental territory, recorded higher gusts or close to 100 km/h.
Three of these stations exceeded 120 km/h. These values were recorded in the anemometers placed 10 meters high to the ground, according to the technical standards followed by the IPMA for the measurement of the maximum instant gusts.
Historical gusts
According to data from the institute, the strongest gust registered to date in mainland Portugal was 176.4 km/h, which occurred during the Leslie Storm passage in October 2018, in Figueira da Foz.
The comparison with this historical value perspective the dimension of the current meteorological phenomenon.
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Portugal is also under the influence of Martinho depression, responsible for issuing several meteorological warnings of yellow and orange level.
These warnings, issued by, refer mainly to strong wind, intense precipitation and maritime agitation, with the most critical conditions occurred during the early hours of Thursday, March 20.
To date, the authorities have not yet disclosed an official balance of damage caused by bad weather or additional details on the maximum intensity affected by gusts in specific places.
Conclusion
Monitoring by the competent entities remains active, and new updates are expected to be provided briefly.
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