Storm Charles has hit Portugal hard, and if you're flying to or from the country this week, your plans may already be up in the air — or grounded entirely. By Wednesday morning, 184 flights had been cancelled at Lisbon's Humberto Delgado airport, with a further 17 scrapped at Porto and 12 at Faro, according to Flightradar24 data.
Portugal's weather service, IPMA, has issued red and orange warnings for rain and wind across much of the mainland and Madeira. Gusts could top 140km/h in exposed spots, especially mountainous areas, and severe conditions are forecast for mainland Portugal, Madeira and Porto Santo. It comes hot on the heels of Storm Bruna, which brought rain, strong winds and rough seas on 5 November — so the ground is already saturated and the risk of flooding and landslides is heightened.
The disruption goes beyond aviation. Nonessential public services, courts, monuments and schools are closed on Wednesday 11 November, meaning some sightseeing plans will be off the table too. The UK Foreign Office has weighed in, warning of heavy rain, strong winds and dangerous coastal conditions, with the greatest risk expected on 11 November. It flags potential flooding, landslides, falling trees and travel disruption, and notes that schools and public services may close at short notice.
Airport operator ANA Aeroportos de Portugal is urging passengers not to just turn up and hope: conditions may affect arrivals and departures in the coming days, so contact your airline to confirm your flight's status before heading to the airport. TAP Air Portugal, the country's flag carrier, has acknowledged that adverse conditions will hit operations on Tuesday and Wednesday, and has moved to rebook affected passengers.
There's a silver lining for anyone holding a TAP ticket: passengers with tickets issued up to 10 November for travel up to 11 November can change to flights up to 17 November free of charge. If your trip is affected, that rebooking window is worth using rather than gambling on a same-day seat.
For travellers already in Portugal or arriving imminently, the advice is straightforward: follow instructions from local authorities, keep an eye on MeteoAlarm for the latest warnings, and stay away from coastal areas where conditions are dangerous. Expect possible road closures, delays to trains and ferries, and attraction closures — particularly in Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve and Madeira. If you're travelling with children, note that schools are shut, which affects family-friendly services too.
If your trip is scheduled for later this week, don't cancel outright — check your airline's alerts first, as conditions are expected to ease after Wednesday. But build in buffer time, pack waterproofs, and be ready for a slower pace as the country cleans up. Travel insurance policies generally cover weather-related delays and cancellations, so keep documentation of any disruptions for a claim.
