IPMA updates thunderstorm warning criteria · Bica

Public Services

IPMA updates thunderstorm warning criteria

The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has updated its thunderstorm warning system to include associated severe weather: intense rain, strong wind gusts, and hail. Additionally, several mainland districts are under orange and yellow weather alerts for heat and storms through Tuesday, 2026-08-18.

Why it mattersIf you are in the affected districts, you now have more precise weather warnings to monitor, as alerts will better reflect severe wind, rain, and hail; for now, heed the active heat and storm warnings in effect across mainland Portugal until Tuesday evening.

Observador

This update is from Bica

Your quick shot of what's changing in Portugal and affecting your status, your home, your money, and whatever might disrupt your day. Short and clear updates, gathered from Portuguese sources.

No signup. No data collected. No app download. Nothing to pay.

See today’s briefing

More on Public Services

Public Services

Vale de Judeus: Two years after the escape, guard towers will start being built

Two years after the prison break at Vale de Judeus, the Ministry of Justice is proceeding with the construction of security towers. The ministry also confirmed that anti-drone and mobile signal jamming systems are currently being tested and fine-tuned, though prison guards report that security vulnerabilities still persist.

Público· 6h agoRead original ↗

Useful?

Public Services

Housing: affordable rent scheme still waiting to start

The new Simplified Affordable Rent Regime (RSAA) officially entered into force on September 1, 2026, but it remains non-operational. The government has yet to publish the mandatory decree (portaria) defining maximum rent limits, and the IHRU digital platform required for landlords and tenants to register is not yet active.

Observador· 6h agoRead original ↗

Useful?

Public Services

Azores join European project against the Asian hornet

The Azorean regional government is participating in a 12-month European-funded project to improve the region's response to the invasive Asian hornet (Vespa velutina). The initiative, running from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2027, focuses on early detection, mapping, and the destruction of nests, following the species' initial confirmation in São Miguel in early 2025.

Observador· 6h agoRead original ↗

Useful?

Practical alerts

Media-reported alerts

South coast of Madeira and Porto Santo under yellow warning · Observador · 1d ago
Civil Protection warns of increased rural fire danger in Madeira starting Sunday · Correio da Manhã · 3d ago
IP3 to have several sections closed between Coimbra and Viseu next week · Correio da Manhã · 3d ago

Live official alerts

Yellow heat warning for Madeira, starting Monday, until Wednesday.
yellow warningIPMA· Madeira· until Wed 19:00

See continuously updated official alerts live alerts →

About Bica

Your quick shot of what's changing in Portugal and affecting your status, your home, your money, and whatever might disrupt your day. Short and clear updates, gathered from Portuguese sources.

No signup. No data collected. No app download. Nothing to pay.

More about Bica →

Feedback and corrections are welcome: khaled@dedwen.co