The Portuguese Institute of Atmosphere and Sea (IPMA) has said there could be a chance of snow falling on the high peaks. Rain has been forecast, but there is a slight chance that this could change with a drop in temperature. Samantha Gannon info at madeira-weekly.com
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The Madeiran Volunteer Firefighters (BVM) were mobilized, this morning, to Pico do Areeiro to assist about two dozen drivers who were stranded as the formation of ice had created hazardous driving conditions in the mountainous region.
As low temperatures befell Pico do Areerio today
According to a press release issued today by the Portuguese Institute of Atmosphere and Sea (IPMA), the dust haze and high temperatures we are currently experiencing will remain until Thursday when the weather is expected to change and become colder as further snow is expected.
As predicted, a light dusting of snow was seen on the island's highest peaks this morning.
Moderate showers are expected in the Region over the Christmas weekend, with a yellow IPMA weather warning coming into effect from 6 pm on Saturday until midnight on Christmas Day.
A news bulletin released by Vitor Prior, of the Portuguese Institute of Atmosphere and Sea (IPMA), indicates that Madeira may be hit by a mass of freezing air over the weekend, which could lead to snow falling on the mountainous regions of the island.
I actually can't remember an April being as cold as this, and the Portuguese Institute of Atmosphere and Sea (IPMA), would seem to agree, as they confirmed that temperatures registered -2 degrees at 5 am this morning in Pico do Areeiro. Even by late afternoon temperatures had only reached a maximum of 1 degree.
With snow and with hail falling on the lower regions of the island, it is no surprise that the Municipality of Câmara do Lobos had to close several roads to both cars and pedestrians.
The Madeiran Volunteer Firefighters were called out at 2 am this morning to help four people who were trapped in the snow in the Poiso area.
The last time it was this cold in March was on the 11th of March 1972, when average temperatures dropped to 7.7 degrees, says Madeiran delegate of the Portuguese Institute of Atmosphere and Sea (IPMA), Vitor Prior. The only other recording of unseasonal low temperatures (7.4 degrees) was on the 14th of February 1981.
A power surge at the 60 KV transport line between Calheta and Funchal causing damage to the Vitória Thermal Power Station system last night, left approximately 230,000 energy users sitting in the dark.
Depression Karim, ahs not only delivered a lot of rain this weekend, it is also expected to snow this evening/early tomorrow morning on the islands mountain peaks.
The region woke up to a further covering of snow this morning, which has forced the closure of two roads in the municipality of Calheta. These are, Estrada Rochão, in Arco da Calheta, which provides access to Paul da Serra and Estrada do Fonte do Bispo.
As curfew hour drew gradually closer, many ignored the weather and safety warnings and drove up into the mountains to see the snow, while Funchal became a ghost town. https://www.facebook.com/100009450955174/videos/2908935056098164/ Samantha Gannon info at madeira-weekly.com Photo and videos courtesy of JM-Madeira