In its weather forecast for the Easter period, the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) says that precipitation is expected to occur across the mainland, “with greater frequency and intensity in the North and Centre, and with the highest accumulated values ​​in the Minho and Douro Litoral regions”.

The forecast of “unstable weather” in mainland Portugal should continue “at least until Monday”, as a result of the successive passage of frontal systems, associated with a vast depression region centred northwest of the Iberian Peninsula, explains the institute, in a statement.

According to the weather forecast, the Good Friday holiday should be the day with the most intense and widespread rainfall in mainland Portugal, due to the passage of a cold front, but the expectation is that the rain will continue over the remaining days, with showers, which will be less frequent and intense in the South region.

In the highlands of the North and Centre, precipitation will be in the form of snow today and from the end of Friday, according to the IPMA.

Temperature drop

Regarding the temperature in mainland Portugal, the institute reports that, after “a significant drop” on Tuesday, “some fluctuations are expected over the next few days”, with a gradual rise between Wednesday and Thursday and a further drop on Saturday.

The hottest day is expected to be Thursday, when the maximum temperature could exceed 20°C (degrees Celsius) in some areas of the interior and in the South region, according to the IPMA, stating that, on the other hand, Saturday will be “the coldest, with maximum temperature values ​​of around 8 to 14°C in the interior North and Centre and between 14 and 18°C ​​in the rest of the country, with the highest values ​​in the South region”.

Azores

In the Azores, the Easter weekend will feature “a period of relatively good weather across the archipelago, with the sky showing periods of cloudiness, but alternating with clear spells”, reveals the IPMA.

In the early hours of Thursday morning, a cold front with weak activity is expected to pass through the islands of the Eastern Group of the Azores, with light precipitation expected.

During the festive period, the wind will initially be, on Thursday, “moderate to fresh (20/40 km/h) at times very fresh (40/50 km/h) with gusts of up to 70 km/h” and, in the following days, “should decrease in intensity, becoming calm to moderate (10/30 km/h)”, indicates the institute, remembering that the air temperature should vary between 12°C and 13°C as a minimum, and between 18°C ​​and 20°C as a maximum.

Madeira

Regarding the Madeira archipelago, according to the IPMA, between Thursday and Monday, “relatively stable weather is expected, sometimes with the occurrence of light precipitation associated with the passage of dissipating frontal surfaces, which will be more likely on the northern slope and highlands of the island of Madeira”.

Winds from the north quadrant are also expected, generally weak to moderate, and may occasionally blow more intensely in the highlands and in the extreme east and west of Madeira Island, says the institute, adding that temperatures should remain relatively stable, with maximums between 20-22°C, and minimums between 14-16°C, with lower values ​​in the highlands.