Storm Regina Grounds Madeira: 50 Flights Cancelled as Depression Sweeps Portugal

Depression Regina swept across Portugal on Monday, delivering the kind of weather disruption that turns travel plans into logistical nightmares. By mid-morning, Madeira International Airport had already cancelled 50 flights — 26 arrivals and 24 departures — with no immediate improvement in sight.

The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) traced the storm's origins to North Africa, warning that northerly winds would gust up to 80 kilometres per hour along the coast and reach a punishing 110 km/h in Madeira's highlands. ANA — Aeroportos de Portugal urged passengers to confirm their flight status before heading to the airport, a recommendation that carries particular weight given the forecast calls for conditions to worsen before they improve.

A Worsening Outlook

Tuesday looks set to be even more challenging. IPMA forecasts wind gusts intensifying to 95 km/h, climbing to 120 km/h in elevated areas of Madeira. Atlantic swells from the northwest will build to significant heights of four to five metres on Monday afternoon, potentially peaking at 11 metres by Tuesday. Snow is expected above 1,500 metres altitude, and hail may accompany showers on the island's northern slopes.

Orange warnings for wind gusts and rough seas have been issued, alongside yellow warnings for snowfall. The storm is also transporting Saharan dust northward, which will hang over the mainland until at least Wednesday, 4 March.

Mainland Effects

While Madeira bears the brunt of the disruption, the mainland is not escaping unscathed. IPMA expects periods of rain across Portugal, with heavier and more frequent downpours in the central and southern regions, potentially accompanied by thunderstorms from Monday afternoon onward. The southern Algarve and Alentejo regions should prepare for the worst of it.

For anyone with travel plans involving Madeira this week, the advice is straightforward: check with your airline, build in flexibility, and monitor IPMA updates. Jet2 had already pre-emptively cancelled all 24 of its Monday flights to and from the island over the weekend. Other carriers are likely to follow as conditions develop.

The storm is expected to gradually weaken from Wednesday morning, but the seas will take longer to settle. Travellers transiting through Lisbon and Porto should expect minimal disruption on the mainland, though localised delays remain possible in areas hit by thunderstorms.