Strong Winds Affecting Travel Across the Island
Monday, March 30, 2026, is marked by very strong winds in Madeira, impacting all travelers. The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has issued a yellow warning valid until 9:00 PM this evening. Wind gusts are reaching up to 110 km/h in the mountains and around 80 km/h on the coast. We advise extreme caution and urge you to adapt your plans to the current conditions.
Air Travel: Canceled Flights at Cristiano Ronaldo Airport
- Who is affected? Travelers arriving in or departing from Madeira today.
- What does this mean in practice? Due to wind gusts exceeding 90 km/h, 27 flights (15 arrivals and 12 departures) had already been canceled by noon today. Aircraft are frequently being diverted to Porto Santo or are returning to the mainland. Expect significant delays and further cancellations throughout the day.
- What do we recommend? Do not travel to the airport without first checking the status of your flight with your airline or on the airport’s website (ANA). Be prepared for the possibility of an unscheduled overnight stay on the island.
Hiking Trails and Mountains: Closed Paths and Dangerous Conditions
- Who is affected? Hikers, levada enthusiasts, and mountain trekkers.
- What does this mean in practice? The combination of extreme wind, fallen trees, and landslides has led to the closure of several popular routes. For safety reasons, moving around in the mountains is extremely risky.
- Current trail and road closures:
- PR 5 Vereda das Funduras: Completely closed.
- PR 18 Levada do Rei: Completely closed.
- PR 10 Levada do Furado: The section between Ribeiro Frio and Lamaceiros is closed due to a collapsed footpath.
- The mountain road (Estrada Florestal) between Eira do Serrado and Pico do Areeiro: Impassable due to fallen trees.
- What do we recommend? We strongly advise against trips to the mountains and exposed levadas today. Under no circumstances should you enter closed trails. If you wish to go out into nature, choose low-lying, sheltered routes on the south coast and always check their status beforehand on the official IFCN website.
Coast and Sea: High Wave Warning
- Who is affected? Anyone planning to swim, walk along cliffs, or take boat trips.
- What does this mean in practice? On the north coast of the island, waves are reaching heights of up to 3.5 meters. Conditions are dangerous, and most tour boat trips (e.g., for whale and dolphin watching) will likely be canceled.
- What do we recommend? Avoid the north coast and do not walk on exposed cliffs. Swimming in the sea today poses a significant risk.