Strong crosswinds are today affecting landing and take-off operations at Gago Coutinho International Airport in Faro, affecting more than seven flights, a source from Navigação Aérea de Portugal (NAV) told Lusa.
According to the source, bad weather in the Algarve, namely “crosswinds with gusts of almost 50 knots (about 100 kilometers per hour), is affecting take-off and landing operations.”
Due to the wind speed, “many aircraft commanders choose not to land or take off,” the source points out.
However, he added that improving weather conditions allowed the operation to “fully reopen” at 4.50pm.
According to information available on the ANA portal – Aeroportos de Portugal, as of 3:30 p.m., more than seven flights between arrivals and departures to and from cities in Europe had been canceled.
The Portuguese Sea and Atmosphere Institute (IPMA) today put the district of Faro on red alert due to the risk of “strong and persistent precipitation”, predicting that the most critical period of rain would last until 3 p.m.
An orange warning also applies to the district until 6 p.m. due to wind gusts of up to 100 kilometers per hour and unrest in the sea, with waves from the southeast of three to four meters high and waves from the south of six to eight meters high.
The heavy rain and strong winds caused minor flooding, falling trees and some structures across the region, especially in the eastern part of the Algarve, a Civil Protection source told Lusa.
Speaking to Lusa, Regional Commander of the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC), Richard Marques, said a total of 224 incidents had been recorded as of 5pm, of which 145 corresponded to falling trees, 47 floods and 24 falls. and some ground movements.
“Faro was the worst affected municipality so far, where 71 incidents were recorded,” he specified.
According to Richard Marques, “There have been no reports of casualties or personal injuries as a result of the bad weather.
Source: DN
