Tornado outbreak causes damage in Portugal’s Alentejo region

A tornado struck Porto Peles in the Beja district on May 2 at 08:10 local time (LT). It was classified as F1/T2, with estimated wind speeds between 118 and 148 km/h (73 to 92 mph). The tornado damaged roofs, uprooted trees, crushed a car beneath a collapsed wall, and destroyed a carport.

Later that day, at 13:00 LT, a second F1/T2 tornado struck Degolados in Campo Maior, Portalegre district. It damaged homes, sheds, a football pitch, and electrical infrastructure, bringing down trees and power poles. One person received on-site medical treatment. IPMA issued yellow warnings for heavy rain and thunderstorms across Portugal, with some upgraded to orange.

On May 3, at around 09:00 LT, a waterspout made landfall in Sesimbra, Setúbal, overturning small boats in the marina. The event was linked to the same unstable weather system affecting Portugal.

On the same day, a severe wind event, possibly a tornado, struck Sardoal, Santarém at 12:45 LT, felling a large tree onto a house. The storm damaged the garage and chimney but caused no injuries. The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has not yet confirmed whether this event was a tornado.

The tornadoes in Beja and Campo Maior were confirmed by IPMA through damage surveys and meteorological data. Both displayed classic tornado damage patterns, such as uprooted trees and shattered structures. Radar scans indicated a mesocyclonic storm cell over Alentejo, which fueled the tornadoes.

Emergency response was swift. In Beja, municipal Civil Protection and GNR personnel cleared debris and reopened roads. In Campo Maior, about 20 firefighters, GNR officers, and utility crews repaired power lines and poles. The municipal emergency plan was activated as a precaution.

In Sesimbra, port authorities managed the marina aftermath, confirming one capsized fishing boat and no human impact. In Sardoal, firefighters secured the damaged house and cleared the fallen tree. No large-scale evacuations or displacements were required across the affected areas.

The unstable weather was caused by a slow-moving Atlantic low-pressure system that brought moist air into conflict with a cold front. This setup generated intense updrafts that led to the formation of tornadoes.

Local officials and eyewitnesses reported sudden, violent winds. The mayor of Beja noted significant damage to non-residential structures, and villagers were startled by a loud thunderclap. In Campo Maior, a resident described trees falling rapidly and noted that the storm lasted only a few minutes.

Meteorologists stated that tornadoes in Portugal are rare but occur most frequently from late winter to spring. The fading La Niña in early 2025 may have influenced storm tracks as well. IPMA continues to analyze radar data to improve understanding of the storms.

References:

¹ Tornados no Alentejo 2 de maio – IPMA – May 2, 2025

² Tornadoes confirmed in Portugal – The Portugal News – May 5, 2025

Reet Kaur

I’m a science journalist and researcher at The Watchers, contributing to the Epicenter edition, where I cover peer-reviewed scientific research and emerging discoveries across Earth and space sciences. With a background in astronomy and a passion for environmental science, I’ve worked in shark and coral conservation in Fiji, conducting reef and shark-behavior research, contributing to mangrove restoration, and earning PADI Open Water and Coral Reef Certifications. I bring a blend of scientific rigor and storytelling to illuminate the discoveries shaping our planet and beyond.

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