The weather agency reduced its wind forecast but warned that persistent, sometimes heavy rain would continue.
Read the storyNovember 11, 2026, 7:54 a.m. Central time.
Portugal closed schools and nonessential public services Wednesday as Storm Charles approached the mainland, with authorities urging people to stay home, the Associated Press reported.
The Portuguese weather agency, IPMA, later reduced its wind forecast while warning that persistent rain, sometimes heavy, would continue across the mainland. Its updated bulletin was issued at 12:16 UTC on November 11.
IPMA said the system passed north of Madeira and split into two low-pressure centers, changing its expected development. The agency said winds were expected to be weaker than in the previous forecast.
In southern Portugal, IPMA forecast gusts generally around 70–90 km/h (43–56 mph), potentially reaching 110 km/h (68 mph) in exposed coastal and mountain areas. These are forecasts, not measured gusts, and local conditions may differ.
AP reported that schools and nonessential services closed on the mainland and that the Web Summit technology conference canceled Wednesday’s events in Lisbon. Earlier forecasts had called for stronger winds; the later IPMA bulletin supersedes those estimates.
Warnings and conditions can change. Residents should check IPMA’s current district warnings and local civil-protection instructions for their area.
Nov. 10: Charles affected Madeira and officials prepared for the mainland. Nov. 11, 12:16 UTC: IPMA issued an updated forecast with reduced expected winds and continued heavy-rain risk.
The star marks Lisbon for context; effects and warnings differ by district.
Map data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
IPMA: latest storm bulletin · IPMA: current warnings · Associated Press
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