A woman was injured and two homes damaged as a tornado tore through parts of Vilamoura last night.
Just before 7pm on Monday evening, thunder was followed by an intense wind which created a tornado that caused extensive damage to at least two houses leaving them uninhabitable and strewn with shattered glass.
Large trees were topped with the gusts but there were no reported serious injuries despite flying glass at the damaged houses.
The National Authority for Civil Protection urges those in the Algarve to be wary due to the forecast of more heavy rain and wind gusts until 23.00 today, Tuesday.
According to a statement from Civil Protection released late on Monday, we can expect occasionally thunder and intermittent strong rainfall for all of Monday.
The strong southerly will gusts to 80 kmph at sea level, higher on exposed upland areas.
Special caution is needed in wooded areas and in parks as recent rainfall has softened ground. Above all do not go to the sea and check out local weather forecasts.
The forecast for the Algarve and Alentejo from the Portuguese Institute of Ocean and Atmosphere is that in addition to 'periods of rain or showers there will be at times heavy hail and thunder' and people shoul be alert for 'occurrence of extreme wind event (i.e. more tornados). "At sea the waves will be up to 4-5 meters along the west coast, with a WSW wind.
The last serious tornado to hit the Algarve was on November 16th 2012 which caused death and extensive damage to property in Lagoa and Silves as it headed inland. There was another smaller tornado that hit the riverside area of Tavira on April 17th 2013 which brought down several trees and caused damage to boats at the Club Náutico de Tavira.
