Portugal and Spain are preparing for the arrival of Storm Leonardo, with authorities warning that the new weather system could trigger further flooding and widespread disruption across the Iberian Peninsula, which is still recovering from the impact of Storm Kristin.
Portugal’s Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) said Storm Leonardo is expected to affect mainland Portugal from Tuesday afternoon through Saturday, while neighbouring Spain is forecast to feel its effects from Wednesday.
Meteorologists are predicting persistent and heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds, with gusts of up to 75 km/h along coastal areas south of Cabo Mondego and as high as 95 km/h in elevated regions. The storm follows a succession of severe weather systems that have battered the region in recent months, bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms, snowfall, and powerful gales.
Southern Spain has already recorded its wettest winter in around 40 years, raising concerns that additional rainfall could overwhelm rivers and drainage systems. In Portugal, Daniela Fraga, deputy commander of the national emergency and civil protection authority ANEPC, warned that heavy rain in the coming days could cause floods and inundations, particularly in areas previously affected by Storm Kristin.
Power outages remain a major issue. Electricity distribution company E-Redes said nearly 134,000 households were still without power, including around 95,000 in the central Leiria region.
The scale of the damage has prompted a major government response. Portugal’s government has approved a €2.5 billion package of loans and incentives to support households and businesses as they rebuild. Hundreds of homes, along with roads, schools, factories and railway lines, have been damaged. At the Monte Real air base near Leiria, several aircraft were affected by the storm, including F-16 fighter jets.
In Spain, weather authorities have also issued warnings for intense and persistent rainfall, particularly across the south. In the Grazalema mountains, forecasters say accumulated rainfall could exceed 200 to 250 millimetres within 24 hours, significantly increasing the risk of flash flooding and landslides.
As Storm Leonardo approaches, emergency services on both sides of the border are urging residents to remain vigilant, follow official guidance and prepare for further disruption as the region faces yet another period of extreme weather.
