Portugal has been on red alert since Saturday. Hurricane Leslie is getting closer to his side and the authorities fear significant damage. It should be the most powerful hurricane in more than 170 years in this country.
Hurricane Leslie will hit Portugal this Saturday in the late afternoon with strong to very strong winds and strong waves.
According to the Portuguese Meteorological Services (IPMA), the sky is gradually covering from the middle of the afternoon. Intermittent rains on the west coast from the end of the afternoon, gradually extending over the rest of the territory and may be strong at the end of the day.
For the US National Hurricane Center (NHC), Leslie is currently a category 1 hurricane, on a scale of 5. Its center was located on Saturday mid-afternoon about 300 km west of Lisbon. he should weaken before touching the ground and then dissipate Sunday night or Monday morning, according to the NHC.
Winds were light to moderate (up to 30 km / h) from the southern quadrant at the beginning of the day, becoming progressively stronger and becoming very strong in the west coast from mid-afternoon. gusts of up to 110 km / h. In the highlands, strong to very strong winds were expected from mid-afternoon with gusts up to 120 km / h.
Force 12?
The winds will strengthen again. In places, they could reach a force of 12 on the Beaufort scale. Beyond 10, it is considered sufficient to cause significant damage. Heavy rains are also expected during the Leslie Pass.
Winds over 100 km / h and waves of 6 meters
On the coast, waves of 3 to 4 meters from west to east are expected, waves 2 to 3 meters southwest of Cape Raso until the middle of the afternoon and 4, 5 or 6 meters south of Cape Mondego from the end of the afternoon. Very touristy places like Faro or Albufeira could be affected, or Seville in Spain.
Canceled flights, the mayor of Lisbon calls for "caution"
Leslie's exact trajectory remains unclear due in part to another storm from the north. The fishermen were invited to join the nearest ports while the airline TAP Portugal canceled seven flights on departure or the arrival of Lisbon. "We do not know what the real and concrete impact will be, so we advocate caution," Lisbon Mayor Fernando Medina told the media, expecting to live "demanding hours."
Spain next
This hurricane is reported as the most powerful for 170 years in Portugal. Only five hurricanes have arrived in this part of the Atlantic through history. The National Civil Protection Authority has recommended the population to move away from coastal areas and avoid leaving their homes, stating that the night from Saturday to Sunday would be the most critical period.
The Lisbon region will be affected as early as 18:00 local time. Leslie is expected to lose intensity soon enough once the land is affected and then move into the post-tropical storm category.
Four days after the death of 12 people in the Balearic Islands, the Spanish rescue services warned the population against the risk of flash floods and called on motorists to be cautious. in case of strong winds. Two other disturbances should also sweep the north and east of the country on Sunday.
Already in 2017 with Ophelia
In 2017, Hurricane Ophelia licked the coasts of Portugal and Galicia, resulting in deadly fires. But Europe was, until now, unaccustomed to this kind of weather phenomenon. It knew two real hurricanes: in 1967 with Cloe who had touched the south-west coast of France too. And in 2005, with Vince on the south coast of Spain. This country should be touched again by Leslie this time. Gusts of 100 km / h are announced for Sunday morning.