Not my words, but worth a read if not done so already Why is the Iberian Peninsula experiencing a continuous string of storms? In recent weeks, the Iberian Peninsula has experienced a drastic change in its weather pattern for this time of year, characterized by the incessant passage of fronts and storms. To understand why it keeps raining and why storms keep coming one after another, it's necessary to look to the upper atmosphere and analyze the behavior of the Jet Stream and atmospheric blocking patterns at high latitudes. 1. The Jet Stream The direct cause of this situation is the Jet Stream. It's a river of strong winds that circulates at an altitude of about 10-12 km and acts as the "conductor" of the weather in mid-latitudes. This current separates the cold polar air from the warm subtropical air and guides the polar front, which is the area where storms originate and move. Storms typically circulate at higher latitudes. However, when the polar jet stream shifts south and points directly toward the Iberian Peninsula, it acts like a conveyor belt or "highway" that brings storms directly to us. 2. The culprit behind the detour: The Anticyclonic Blocking System in the North The reason the polar jet stream has shifted southward and continues to point toward Spain lies in a phenomenon known as the North Atlantic Blocking System. • The Wall in the North: Currently, a powerful blocking anticyclone has formed between Greenland and Scandinavia (high latitudes). This high-pressure system acts like a rock in a river, forcing the jet stream to deviate. • The Open Path to the South: Unable to travel its usual route north, the jet stream is forced to shift southward. This opens a "corridor" or direct path from the Atlantic to the Iberian Peninsula, channeling a succession of very active storms toward our region. 3. The Negative North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) This atmospheric pattern coincides with a negative phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). • Positive NAO: Normally, the Azores High is strong and diverts storms towards northern Europe.

Please add a pic in the comments of a place you love in Portugal, and let the rest of us guess where it is... Here's one of mine to get us started...

QUOTED: The Directorate-General of Health warns of risks to water and food safety following Storm Kristin and power outages, recommending caution in consumption, food handling, and sanitation to protect public health. The DGS (Directorate-General of Health) issued a set of recommendations on Thursday night following the storm that affected several regions of the country in the early hours of Wednesday, causing power outages that persist in some areas, which could compromise the quality of drinking water and food safety. "Situations like this impact the safety of food stored in refrigerators and freezers, as well as water quality, especially in areas where the supply depends on electrical systems," the statement warns. To reduce these risks, the health authority calls for the adoption of preventive measures and safe behaviors, such as avoiding the consumption of water from sources that are not connected to the public supply network, such as wells or mines, as they may be contaminated. The DGS (Directorate-General of Health) advises the public not to drink tap water, wash food or brush their teeth with it, unless there is official confirmation of its safety, and to use bottled water whenever possible. "If you don't have bottled water, boil the water for 10 minutes before using it or disinfect it with bleach without dyes, detergents or perfumes (about 2 drops per liter of water)," he recommends, also advising the population to wash their hands well before handling treated water or food. ENDS Source

https://www.portugalresident.com/pm-cancels-external-agenda-declares-state-of-calamity-in-leiria-coimbra/