Between Tuesday and Friday, the approach of Depression Therese could bring worsening meteorological conditions. A yellow weather alert is in force between midday and 21:00 tomorrow.
Over the next few days, the IPMA forecasts mostly cloudy skies, with showers at times, some heavy and possibly accompanied by thunderstorms along the North Coast, South Coast, Mountain Regions, and on the island of Porto Santo.
Winds are expected to be strong from the west/southwest, increasing from the 18th (Wednesday), moderate to strong with gusts up to 70 km/h and up to 90 km/h in the highlands. On the 20th (Friday), especially during the morning, a temporary increase in the south/southwest wind with gusts up to 90 km/h and reaching 130 km/h in the highlands.
In view of the worsening weather conditions between tomorrow and Friday, the Civil Protection Service has issued several recommendations to the population.
“The Regional Civil Protection Service, IP-RAM recalls that the possible impact of these effects can be minimised, especially through the adoption of appropriate behaviours, especially in historically vulnerable areas. Recommendations include:
• Take the right safety precautions and plan your trips ahead of time, especially during the toughest periods, to steer clear of unnecessary risks.
• Unblock all rainwater drainage systems, removing aggregates and other objects susceptible to being dragged or obstructing the flow of water.
• Ensure the proper attachment of loose structures, such as scaffolding, placards and suspended structures.
• Adopt increased care in circulation and permanence in wooded areas, in view of the possibility of falling branches and trees due to the action of strong winds.
• Adapt behaviours and activities to the expected weather conditions, avoiding unnecessary travel to affected areas.
• Respect the interdictions and restrictions on access to previously signaled areas.
• Do not circulate in areas with degraded buildings, due to the risk of landslides.
• Be especially careful in mountainous areas, exposed slopes, and coastal areas.
• Adopt defensive driving, reducing speed, and paying special attention to the possible formation of water sheets on the roads and the formation of ice.
• Avoid crossing flooded areas, preventing people or vehicles from being dragged into holes in the pavement or open sewer tanks.
• Do not drive on roads affected by snow accumulation.
• Respect the prohibitions of access to snowy areas.
• Ensure that vehicle heating systems are in good working order;
• Avoid driving on roads with heavy vehicles, in particular articulated vehicles, vehicles with trailers, and rear-wheel drive vehicles.
• Be aware of weather information and indications from Civil Protection on social networks and applications and from the Security Forces.
The authority also points out possible effects that the worsening of metrology may bring in the coming days:
• Possibility of falling branches or trees, with possible impairment of communications and energy infrastructures.
• Loose objects and debris may be dragged onto the roadways, as well as the detachment of mobile structures. This also applies to temporary structures during strong winds, which may cause accidents with vehicles in circulation or with passers-by on public roads.
• Slippery road surface, due to the possible formation of water sheets.
• Occurrence of flooding in urban areas.
• Drainage difficulties in urban systems, which can cause flooding in the historically most vulnerable places.
• Collapse of support walls or slopes.
• Coastal overtopping.
• Snowfall.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
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