Portugal prepares for the rare sting jet phenomenon: gusts over 160 km/h and a state of alert across the entire territory

A rare phenomenon amid depressions Bruna and Charles

Portugal is on heightened alert due to the passage of depressions Bruna and Charles. On Wednesday the Portuguese Sea and Atmosphere Institute (IPMA) does not rule out the formation of a rare meteorological phenomenon known as a sting jet — a stream of air that rapidly descends within an extratropical depression and reaches the surface with great intensity over a relatively small, localized area, producing wind gusts that can exceed 160 km/h. Particular attention is being paid to the Greater Lisbon region, where the phenomenon is possible from midday until the end of the day. At a preventive press conference held by civil protection on Tuesday, IPMA representative Jorge Ponte said: 'There are some signs that it may occur, but it is very difficult to forecast. This is exactly what happened during storm Kristin, and such a scenario is now being considered' — according to euronews.

Similarities with storm Kristin — and differences from it

At the beginning of the year, storm Kristin, which was accompanied by this phenomenon, devastated several areas of the Leiria district. Climate change specialist Duarte Costa, who explained the phenomenon on social media, described it as 'an extremely powerful jet of wind that suddenly descends, over a very limited area, from the mid-levels of the storm to the surface as a result of strong acceleration when passing through the jet stream.' According to him, modeling based on the European ECMWF model shows a hook shape — 'a dangerous resemblance to a sting jet phenomenon.' The main difference from Kristin, the specialist notes, is that this time the storm's greatest strength is expected during the daytime, when there are more people on the streets and roads, and if the phenomenon coincides with rush hour, the risks could increase significantly.

Preventive measures

The government declared a state of alert for Wednesday across the entire continental territory due to the approach of depression Charles. Minister of Internal Administration Luís Neves announced the closure of all schools, both public and private, and of non-essential public services, banned movement in parks, forests and gardens, and urged the population to stay at home, warning of possible 'very serious moments requiring assistance' — with particular concern over urban flooding, falling trees and power outages. IPMA issued a red warning for eight districts — Beja, Évora, Faro, Leiria, Lisbon, Portalegre, Santarém and Setúbal — until 21:00 on Wednesday. In Lisbon, all tunnels and car parks have been closed since midnight, as well as some bridges; on the Vasco da Gama and 25 de Abril bridges, which span the Tagus, the speed limit is 60 km/h, and motorcycle traffic is not recommended. The Lisbon Metro and Fertagus plan to keep operating, Carris bus services may change throughout the day depending on the weather, and Rede Expressos suspended its routes from 10:00 until midnight on Wednesday.