“Short duration sun”? Rain may return to Portugal from Dia de Reis
2023 started with a big storm in Portugal mainland, especially in the Northern Region. An Atlantic cold front, of a stationary nature, brought heavy and persistent rain, and an abundance of water caused floods, flash floods, landslides, land exposures and numerous material damageshighlighting the sub-regions of Alto Minho, Douro Litoral, Alto Tâmega and Douro and Trás-os-Montes.
The weather was mild on January 1st, but this Monday (2) the temperature dropped considerably and the sky was slightly cloudywith good periods of sun from north to south of our geography.
The weather has stabilized, but is it “a short-lived sun”?
For Tuesday (3) forecasts a weather panorama with new drop in temperature, especially the minimumwaiting for negative values (or equal to 0 ºC) in several places in the interior North and Centersuch as the district capitals of Bragança, Viseu and guard. During the morning the formation of fog and hazeespecially in the interior lands.
In addition, it will be clear skies from north to south of the country. With the predominance of dry and cold weather – more natural for the season of the year we are in -, fed by a light wind (generally from the north quadrant)conditions will be met for the formation of ice and frost in vast areas of the interior North and Center.
N/A wednesday (4) a turnaround is expected flow that will start to blow predominantly from the East. Despite the forecast of a slight rise in temperature, the weather will remain sunnycold and with possible formation of ice and frost inside, as well as the occurrence of morning fog. For Thursday (5) no major weather news is forecast.
Pressured highs will gain ground during this day, and we expect generally clear skies, or slightly cloudy, with a light easterly wind remainingagain, dominant. The temperature should record a slight drop, especially from the maximum.
Epiphany with a cold front “at the gates” of Portugal
For on friday (6), during most of Dia de Reis, weather conditions will be stable again, although cloudy or very cloudy skies are already forecastwith the sun sometimes lurking, in a good part of mainland Portugal.
By the way, in In the last hours of Dia de Reis (6th) there may be some precipitation in the Northwest of our geography, particularly in the districts of Viana do Castelo, braga and harborthanks to the imminent arrival of another cold front which may affect the weather over the weekend. In regions closer to the Atlantic, the temperature could rise, while in the interior regions the exact opposite should occur.
As already mentioned above, over the next weekend the synoptic situation may change. With the undulatingly accelerated polar jet, the zonal flow will be reinforced and the depressions, which are very deep, will shift in high latitudes.. However, how fronts associated with these storms may discharge rain from north to south of the country – with emphasis on the Northwest of Portugal, and in particular the Minho – during Saturday (7) and Sunday (8).
According to our trust model (ECMWF)the polar jet will remain robust, with a high probability until mid-January, which would translate into the arrival of more Atlantic fronts with temperatures, in general, mild for the time of year, and intense wind from the west/southwest. Some meteorological scenarios show that, from the middle of this month, changes may occur in the configuration of atmospheric action centers. Despite this, it is too early to project possible effects, perhaps related to greater instability and cold weather.
Azores and Madeira
For this week we Azores mild weather is expected, with a very small daily temperature range, generally cloudy skies and some open. will also download rain or showers, sometimes heavy, accompanied by a strong flow from the southern quadrant, especially on Wednesday (4), Thursday (5) and Friday (6) of Reis. For the weekend weather conditions will tend to stabilize. this week Thin tip will register a maximum of 17 ºC and a minimum of 13 ºC.
As for the Woodcloudy, open periods are expected, sometimes with transient showersthroughout the week, except on Thursday (5) when clear skies are expected. The temperature will be mild, even spring-like, with a maximum of 20°C and a minimum of 15°C Funchal.