NOTICE No./1/DCS/2025

DATE 03-01-2025

TIME 13:00

NOTICE TO THE POPULATION

PRECIPITATION, WIND, ROUGH SEAS AND SNOWFALL

NATIONAL EMERGENCY AND CIVIL PROTECTION AUTHORITY

1.SITUATION

According to information from the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), precipitation, sometimes heavy, wind, sea agitation and snowfall are expected for the next few days, highlighting the following aspects:

• Precipitation, sometimes heavy and accompanied by thunderstorms, especially in coastal Minho and Douro, extending across the entire territory;
• Wind from the southern quadrant, sometimes strong, with gusts of up to 90 km/h on the coast and up to 100 km/h in high areas;
• Sea disturbances on the west coast with waves of 4 to 5 meters;
• Possibility of snowfall above 1000 to 1200 meters of altitude.

Weather information at www.ipma.pt

2.EXPECTED EFFECTS

Periods of precipitation, wind, sea disturbances and snowfall are normally associated with:

• The occurrence of floods in urban areas, caused by the accumulation of rainwater due to obstruction of drainage systems or coastal overtopping;
• The occurrence of floods, increased by the overflow of the beds of some watercourses, rivers and streams;
• The instability of slopes, leading to mass movements (landslides, mudslips and others) caused by water infiltration, a phenomenon that can be enhanced by the removal of vegetation cover following rural fires, or by artificialization of the soil;
• Slippery road surfaces due to the possible formation of water or the accumulation of ice and/or snow;
• Possible accidents on the coast, due to strong sea waves;
• The dragging onto the road of loose objects, or the detachment of mobile or poorly fixed structures, due to periods of strong wind, which can cause accidents with vehicles in circulation or passers-by on public roads;
• Thermal discomfort in the population due to the combination of low minimum temperature and wind.

3.PREVENTIVE MEASURES

The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) recalls that the possible impact of these effects can be minimized, mainly through the adoption of appropriate behaviours, so that, and particularly in historically more vulnerable areas, it is recommended to adopt main preventive measures for these situations, namely:

• Ensure the unblocking of rainwater drainage systems and the removal of inert materials and other objects that could be dragged or create obstacles to the free flow of water;
• Ensure adequate fixation of loose structures, especially scaffolding, billboards and other suspended structures;
• Take special care when traveling and staying close to wooded areas, being aware of the possibility of falling branches and trees, due to stronger wind;
• Take special care when travelling near the coast and riverside areas that are historically more vulnerable to coastal overtopping, avoiding movement and staying in these locations;
• Do not practice activities related to the sea, namely sport fishing, water sports and walks by the sea, also avoiding parking vehicles too close to the seafront;
• Adopt defensive driving, reducing speed and paying special attention to possible accumulation of snow and/or formation of water tables on highways;
• Do not cross flooded areas, in order to prevent people or vehicles from being dragged into holes in the pavement or open drains;
• Pay attention to meteorological information and indications from Civil Protection and Security Forces.

ANEPC | Communication and Awareness Di