Storm Charles Closes Portugal's Schools and Grounds Flights at Lisbon

Portugal declared a nationwide state of alert as Storm Charles approached, closing schools and non-essential public services and disrupting air travel. The storm is expected to make landfall Wednesday with winds of up to 160 kph, according to The Independent.

Lisbon airport canceled 183 flights, and nearby airports also reported cancellations and delays, The Independent reported. Travelers heading to affected areas are being urged to check their flight status.

What it means for people in Portugal

The government ordered all schools and non-essential public services to close across the country, according to Net Weather. Families should expect disruption to daily routines for as long as the alert lasts.

The state of alert covers the whole country. A higher-level red alert applies to the southern half of the mainland and to the Madeira archipelago. In red alert areas, people can expect heavy rain, rough seas and a risk of flooding from rivers overflowing, Net Weather said.

The U.S. embassy and consulate in Portugal told residents and visitors to avoid coastal areas and not to travel outdoors unless necessary. It also advised people to stay away from trees and power lines.

What it means for travelers

Air travel is already affected. Beyond the 183 cancellations at Lisbon airport, surrounding airports are dealing with cancellations and delays. Anyone due to fly to or from areas in the storm's path is encouraged to confirm their flight before heading to the airport.

The Independent reported that the storm is expected to move on from Portugal to Italy, along the Alps, and may reach as far as the French Riviera by Nov. 12.

Why forecasters expect a high-impact storm

Forecasters warn that Charles will have a high impact because it has picked up warm sea water from tropical latitudes in the Atlantic, which raises its capacity to produce rainfall, The Independent reported.

Jorge Ponte, an expert at the government's weather authority, told reporters that Wednesday will bring a “quite complex” situation for Portugal, according to The Portugal Resident. He also warned that the storm could produce a sting jet.

A sting jet is a fast-descending air current inside an extratropical depression. It affects a relatively small, localized area but can produce very strong gusts that may exceed 160 kilometers per hour and cause significant damage, according to the report.

How this compares with Storm Kristin

The BBC reported that a sting jet produced by Storm Kristin in early 2026 killed at least five people. The Independent said that storm also left over 850,000 people without power, and the government called it an extreme climatic event. Whether Charles will match that damage is not yet known.

What to watch next

Portugal is expected to take the worst of the storm on Wednesday. After that, attention shifts to Italy, the Alps and possibly the French Riviera, where the storm may arrive by Nov. 12. Updates on flights, school closures and the alert levels are expected to come from Portuguese authorities and airlines.

Read next
What the Riyadh Airport Attack Means for Travelers as Airlines Suspend Flights
French School Protests Spread to Belgium as Police Use Tear Gas in Paris
How a Week of School Attacks in Poland Unfolded and What Tusk Says Drove Them

Around Prague, based on reporting by The Independent

Cover photo: Sharon Hahn Darlin / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0, cropped