Storm Charles: Portugal closes schools on 11 November

Schools and non-essential public services across mainland Portugal will close on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, under a government alert for Storm Charles. Outdoor events are suspended for the day. The alert runs from 00:00 to 23:59.

For international residents, the immediate priorities are school and childcare arrangements, public-service appointments and journeys planned for Wednesday. Interior Minister Luís Neves has urged people to remain at home where possible and avoid unnecessary travel.

Schools, services and outdoor plans

The published government order covers educational establishments in the public, private and social sectors, including nurseries and preschool, alongside non-essential public services. If you have an appointment, look for instructions from the office concerned before setting out, including how it will handle rescheduling.

Outdoor events are suspended. The order also restricts access to wooded areas that the authorities identify as presenting a high risk of falling trees or branches, and to coastal, riverside and flood-prone locations exposed to dangerous conditions.

Employers and staff should clarify Wednesday’s arrangements directly. The order does not provide a general exemption from work for every employee. The minister has asked employers to help staff with family responsibilities remain at home where possible.

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When Charles is expected

In its 17:07 update on 10 November, Portugal’s weather institute, IPMA, said conditions on the mainland were expected to worsen from early Wednesday morning. The storm’s track and intensity remained uncertain, affecting which areas would experience the strongest winds.

IPMA forecast gusts around 100–120 km/h on the southern side of the storm, locally reaching 140 km/h, alongside heavy rain and dangerous seas.

Madeira faces deteriorating conditions from late Tuesday into Wednesday morning. The mainland-wide alert does not itself extend to Madeira. IPMA says the Azores will not be affected by Charles; Bruna is a separate weather system.

Follow the latest local warnings

Check IPMA’s district and regional warnings and your municipality’s Civil Protection updates as forecasts change. Warning levels and time windows vary by location.

For essential travel, check your own transport operator’s service notices and follow local instructions. Anyone with children should look for direct messages from their school or childcare provider about Wednesday’s arrangements.

Information checked on 10 November 2026 against the published alert order and IPMA’s 17:07 bulletin. Recheck the linked official warnings for subsequent changes.