Storm Bruna is advancing toward Europe from the Atlantic with low-pressure centres expected to interact dynamically, bringing wind gusts up to 100 km/h, up to 300 mm of rain, and five-metre waves to western regions this week.
Novinky reported that the centre of the low-pressure system Bruna lies northwest of Spain, driving strong winds and heavy precipitation toward the Iberian Peninsula, Ireland, and southwest England. An atmospheric river is supercharging the rainfall by transporting a narrow, long band of water vapour directly from the Atlantic over Spain and Portugal.
Spanish meteorologists warned that up to 120 millimetres of rain could fall within a 12-hour window, prompting the issuance of red weather alerts for vulnerable districts. Centrum.cz noted that total precipitation over the multi-day event could exceed 200 to 300 millimetres in parts of Portugal and western Spain.
IPMA highlighted specific high-risk windows, including the night from Sunday to Monday, late Monday afternoon through Tuesday afternoon, and Wednesday afternoon.
Along the western coast of Algarve, yellow warnings for rough seas take effect at 21:00 on Monday and run until Wednesday morning, with waves anticipated to reach four to five metres. Meanwhile, southern coastal areas face waves of two to three metres alongside southerly wind gusts hitting 75 km/h in coastal zones and up to 80 km/h in mountainous terrain.
In-počasí noted that numerical models indicate a potential interaction between two low-pressure centres over the Atlantic, reminiscent of the Fujiwharova effect, as a secondary low forms near the primary system. This atmospheric setup brings heavy rain not just to the Iberian mainland but also to the Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands.
CNN Prima NEWS outlined the contrast with the preceding weekend, which brought widespread morning frosts of minus 1 to minus 5 degrees Celsius across the Czech Republic under clear skies. While the weekend offered calm, sunny weather with minor risks of morning rime and freezing fog on bridges and shaded roadways, the approaching Atlantic system will change conditions.
By Wednesday, a secondary storm named Charles will barrel into Portugal and Spain with additional downpours and gale-force gusts. Novinky detailed that storm Charles will subsequently track west into Europe, threatening France, Italy, and the Balkan Adriatic coast with heavy downpours, flash floods, and landslides by the end of the workweek.
The Alpine regions could receive dozens of centimetres of fresh snow as the system progresses. In the Czech Republic, the storm is projected to merge with a frontal system over the Baltic Sea on Friday, delivering heavier rain primarily to the southeastern half of the country and snow at medium elevations.
| Region | Primary Hazard | Peak Forecast Data | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal & West Spain | Heavy Rain & Flooding | Up to 200–300 mm total precipitation | Nov 9 – Nov 13 |
| Iberian Coastal Waters | High Waves & Gale Winds | 4 to 5-metre waves, gusts to 100 km/h | Nov 9 – Nov 11 |
| Alps & Central Europe | Snow & Frontal Rain | Dozens of cm of snow, regional rain | Friday, Nov 13 |
Civil protection agencies including ANEPC urge residents to keep drainage channels clear, secure loose outdoor items, and avoid flood-prone routes. Drivers are advised to reduce speeds due to surface water accumulation, while coastal visitors must monitor shifting sea states as official updates continue from meteorological authorities.
