Red Alert: Storm Kristin Hits UK Holiday Spots, Portugal & Spain
- At least two people have died as Storm Kristin brought destructive winds, heavy rain, and snow to parts of Portugal and Spain, disrupting travel and causing meaningful damage.
- The storm's impact in Portugal has been severe, with one fatality reported after a tree fell on a car in Vila Franca de Xira, near Lisbon.
- Storm Kristin moved into Spain, exacerbating conditions in a country already dealing with the aftermath of Storm Joseph.
Storm Kristin Causes Deaths and Widespread Disruption in Portugal and Spain
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At least two people have died as Storm Kristin brought destructive winds, heavy rain, and snow to parts of Portugal and Spain, disrupting travel and causing meaningful damage. The storm,which made landfall in central and northern Portugal on January 28,2026,prompted authorities in Spain to issue a red alert for wind.
Impact in Portugal
The storm’s impact in Portugal has been severe, with one fatality reported after a tree fell on a car in Vila Franca de Xira, near Lisbon. Approximately 85,000 people are without electricity as of January 28, 2026, and major rail links have been suspended, isolating inland communities. Several schools have also been forced to close. Footage shows widespread damage, including uprooted trees, damaged homes, and flooded roads. A Ferris wheel in Figueira da Foz collapsed due to the strong winds, and part of the roof of a former university building fell, damaging seven cars.
Spain Faces Further Havoc
Storm Kristin moved into Spain, exacerbating conditions in a country already dealing with the aftermath of Storm Joseph. Multiple villages near Malaga are cut off by fallen debris, and over 5,000 homes have been evacuated in the Jaén region due to rising river levels. Tragically, a woman was killed on Tuesday in Torremolinos when an uprooted palm tree fell on her. More then 160 roads across Spain are affected by snow and debris, including 27 major motorways.
Weather Warnings and Forecast
Spain’s national weather agency, AEMET, has warned of very strong winds, with gusts perhaps reaching hurricane force. Red alerts are in effect for parts of the Almería province, with amber warnings issued for other regions. Meteorologist Mario Picazo urged extreme caution, stating that rain and snow will continue to be widespread, with significant accumulations expected in southern and western areas. The storm is forecast to continue through at least Friday, with early models suggesting potentially above-average rainfall throughout February.
Storm Kristin causes Deaths and Widespread Damage in Portugal and Spain
At least two people have died as Storm Kristin brought destructive winds, heavy rain, and snow to Portugal and Spain, disrupting travel and causing significant damage as of January 28, 2026. Authorities in both countries have issued warnings and implemented emergency measures to cope with the severe weather.
Portugal Impacted by 110mph Winds
Storm Kristin initially made landfall in central and northern Portugal, unleashing winds reaching 110 mph. One person died in Vila Franca de Xira, near Lisbon, when a tree fell on their car, according to local emergency services. Footage shows widespread damage, including uprooted trees, damaged buildings, and flooded roads. A Ferris wheel in Figueira da Foz collapsed due to the strong winds, and part of the roof of a former university building caved in, damaging seven cars. Approximately 85,000 people are without electricity, and rail services and schools have been suspended.
spain Faces Red Alerts and Evacuations
Kristin then moved into Spain, where authorities issued a red alert for wind in several regions. The storm is compounding the challenges Spain faced from Storm Joseph, which recently caused a fatality when a woman was killed by a falling palm tree in Torremolinos.multiple villages near Malaga are cut off by debris, and over 5,000 people have been evacuated in the Jaén region due to rising river levels. More than 160 roads are affected by snow and fallen trees.
Weather Warnings and Forecast
Spain’s national weather agency, AEMET, warned of very strong winds, with gusts potentially reaching hurricane force. Red alerts are in effect for parts of almeria province, and amber warnings are widespread. Meteorologist Mario Picazo urged extreme caution, forecasting continued rain and snow accumulation, especially in southern and western areas, through at least Friday. Early models suggest February could bring above-average rainfall.