Storm Kristin Leaves Trail of Destruction Across Southwestern Europe
A powerful storm, dubbed Kristin, has caused widespread disruption and devastation across Portugal, Spain, and beyond, leaving a trail of damage estimated to exceed €4 billion. The storm, which peaked in intensity in late January , brought record-breaking wind gusts and torrential rain, impacting infrastructure and daily life for millions.
Storm Kristin formed on , and dissipated on . It was the twenty-sixth storm of the 2025-26 European windstorm season, and the eleventh to be named by the south-western naming group, consisting of France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and Luxembourg. The IPMA named the storm as a significant impact was forecasted.
The storm achieved record-breaking status by rapidly intensifying before striking the Leiria district in Portugal. Gusts at Soure, Portugal, reached 129.74 mph (58.00 m/s. 112.74 kn; 208.80 km/h), while an amateur weather station in Lavos, Portugal, recorded an even more extreme gust of 148 mph (66 m/s; 129 kn; 238 km/h). These wind speeds surpassed those of both Cyclone Xola in and Hurricane Leslie in , leading to catastrophic damage.
The lowest pressure recorded during the storm was 975 hPa (731.3 mmHg; 28.79 inHg). The extreme wind gusts are believed to be linked to a “sting jet” that developed as the system made landfall.
Widespread Impacts and Disruptions
Portugal bore the brunt of Storm Kristin’s fury. The storm resulted in 14 fatalities – 7 directly attributed to the storm and 7 indirectly. More than 1,089 people were injured, with over 105 direct injuries and 984 indirect injuries reported. Over 1,170,000 people experienced power outages.
The impact wasn’t limited to Portugal. Spain also experienced significant disruptions, with severe weather causing major problems for transport and widespread power outages. Rail services between Córdoba and Cádiz were affected, with trains stopping at Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María, and San Fernando due to a force majeure incident.
Andalusia’s regional president, Juan Manuel Moreno, described the situation as “complex,” stating, “We have never seen such a series of storms.” The storm also impacted Gibraltar, Morocco, Italy, Greece, the Balkans, and Ukraine, though the extent of the damage in those regions remains less clear.
The storm’s effects extended beyond immediate physical damage. The disruption to transport networks and infrastructure is expected to have lasting economic consequences. The scale of the damage has prompted calls for increased investment in infrastructure resilience and improved disaster preparedness across the affected region.
As of , recovery efforts are underway, but the full extent of the damage and the long-term impact of Storm Kristin are still being assessed. Authorities are working to restore power, clear debris, and provide assistance to those affected by the devastating storm.
