Portugal is bracing for a rare and potentially destructive meteorological event as Storm Charles approaches, with forecasters warning of a possible sting jet that could bring gusts above 160 km/h. The phenomenon, which is difficult to predict and highly localized, has prompted the government to declare a state of alert across the mainland and close schools and non-essential public services on Wednesday.
What is a sting jet?
A sting jet is a narrow, intense downdraft that forms within certain extratropical cyclones. It originates in the mid-levels of the storm and can reach the surface with explosive force, producing wind gusts far stronger than the surrounding storm. Jorge Ponte of the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) acknowledged the possibility during a press conference on Tuesday: "There are some signs that it may occur, but it is very difficult to predict. That is what happened in storm Kristin and it is on the table."
Climate change specialist Duarte Costa, who has been using social media to explain the risks, describes it as "an extremely violent jet of wind that descends from the mid-levels of a storm down to the surface, suddenly and in a very localised way as a result of a strong intensification as it passes through a jet stream." European ECMWF model simulations show a hooked shape, which Costa says bears "a dangerous similarity to the sting jet phenomenon."
The Greater Lisbon area is of particular concern, with the sting jet most likely to form between midday and late afternoon on Wednesday. Unlike the earlier Storm Kristin, which struck in January and devastated parts of the Leiria district, this storm will be at its most intense during daylight hours, when streets and roads are busiest. Costa warns that if the phenomenon coincides with rush hour, the risks could be significantly heightened.
Preventive measures and red alerts
The Portuguese government has taken unprecedented steps to protect citizens. Interior Minister Luís Neves announced the closure of all public and private schools, as well as non-essential public services, and banned movement in parks, forests, and gardens. He urged people to stay indoors, warning that there may be "very tough moments of need for rescue," with particular concern about urban flooding, falling trees, and power outages.
IPMA has placed eight districts under red warning until 9 p.m. Wednesday: Beja, Évora, Faro, Leiria, Lisbon, Portalegre, Santarém, and Setúbal. In the capital, all tunnels and car parks will be closed from midnight, and speed limits on the Vasco da Gama and 25 de Abril bridges—which span the Tagus River—have been reduced to 60 km/h. Motorcycle traffic on these bridges is being discouraged.
Public transport will continue, with Metro de Lisboa and Fertagus maintaining services, though Carris bus operations may be adjusted depending on conditions. The storm is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds across the Iberian Peninsula, and neighbouring Spain is also on alert.
This is not the first time Portugal has faced such extreme weather this season. Earlier in the year, Storm Charles brought severe warnings to the mainland and Madeira, and the memory of Kristin's destructive power remains fresh. The sting jet's unpredictability makes preparation difficult, but authorities are erring on the side of caution.
As the storm approaches, the message from officials is clear: stay home, avoid travel, and heed the warnings. The full impact may not be known until the storm passes, but the potential for significant damage is real. For now, Portugal holds its breath, hoping that the sting jet remains a forecast rather than a reality.
