Forecasts of severe maritime conditions along the entire western coast of Portugal, particularly the Algarve’s Vicentina and the Alentejo coasts, have prompted the issuance of a red warning for these coastal areas from midnight tonight, Friday 23rd, and throughout Saturday, the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) has announced.
According to IPMA, north-westerly waves of between seven and nine metres are expected to sweep along the western seaboard on Saturday, with maximum wave heights reaching up to 15 metres and peak periods of 15 to 17 seconds.
The warning is due to be downgraded to orange on Sunday, the 25th, at least until midday. Even so, forecasters continue to predict north-westerly waves of five to seven metres, with maximum heights of up to 12 metres and peak periods of 14 to 15 seconds.
Throughout today, Friday the 23rd, the western coast of the districts of Faro and Beja is also under an orange warning due to rough sea conditions, with north-westerly waves of five to seven metres in significant height and maximum heights reaching 12 metres.
Strong maritime agitation is also affecting the western Algarve coast, where Alvor Harbour has been the first to close today.
Source: IPMA
