Storm Kristin,also known as Tempestade Kristin in Portugal,was a compact,catastrophic and record-breaking extratropical cyclone that severely impacted Portugal,as well as parts of the Mediterranean and Southeastern Europe in late January 2026. Storm Kristin was the twenty-sixth storm of the 2025-26 European windstorm season,and the eleventh to be named by the south-western naming group,which consists of France,Spain,Portugal,Belgium,and Luxembourg. Kristin was named by the IPMA on January 27,as a significant impact was forecasted. [6]
Kristin achieved record-breaking status by rapidly intensifying just before striking the Leiria district,becoming Portugal’s strongest on record. Kristin made landfall at peak intensity in the Leiria district,which resulted in extremely intense winds in multiple Portuguese districts. By exceeding the wind speeds of both Cyclone Xola in 2009 and Hurricane Leslie in 2018,the storm caused catastrophic damage. The extreme wind gusts of more than 200 km/h are attributed to a probable sting jet that developed as the system made landfall.[7]
Kristin especially affected the Portuguese districts of Leiria,Coimbra,and Santarém,but also affected other districts in Portugal such as Lisbon. Around 1,000,000 customers in Portugal were without power,according to E-Redes.[8] Almost 1,100 injuries were reported in Portugal,most of them got injured indirectly as a result of cleaning and reconstruction operations or misusage of generators. Furthermore,12 deaths were attributed to Kristin in Portugal,6 direct and 6 indirect. Estimated monetary losses in Portugal are more than €4 billion,which is more than 1% of the country's GDP,making Kristin the most damaging storm on record for Portugal. [9]
Kristin's successor,storm Leonardo,was responsible for causing major floodings in parts of Portugal,which exacerbated the impact of Kristin.
Meteorological history
RGB imagery of storm Kristin at its peak on January 28 2026 at 04:40 AM UTC/GMT.
At the end of January 2026,there was a persistent anticyclonic blocking between Greenland and Scandinavia,which resulted in the polar jet descending in latitude,resulting in a very favorable configuration for the strong development of low-pressure areas. Under influence of storm Joseph,named Marilu by the FUB,a secundary low formed. This secundary low was named Kristin by the IPMA,as a significant impact was forecasted for parts of Portugal.
Enabled by very dynamic and favorable atmospheric conditions,Kristin rapidly intensified in the night before it made landfall. [10] During its explosive cyclogenesis,Kristin deepened to a minimum atmospheric pressure of 975 hPa. In the hours before Kristin made landfall in the Leiria district,the storm also developed a sting jet,which is a rare phenomenon that exclusively happens in extratropical cyclones with a warm core. [11]
Around 4:45 AM,Kristin made landfall as an extremely powerful storm,with gusts exceeding 200 km/h in some parts of the Leiria and Coimbra districts. In Soure,which is a municipality in the Coimbra district,a gust of 208.8 km/h has been measured,exceeding the previous record of 176.4 km/h by Leslie in 2018. Unofficially,a gust of 238 km/h has been measured in Lavos,which is a location in the Coimbra district as well. The Monte Real air base,which is located in the Leiria district,reported a gust of 178 km/h,before the anemometer got destroyed,and the Leiria aerodrome measured a gust of 156.2 km/h,according to the IPMA. Velocity radar imagery indicates that there were wind speeds in excess of 60 m/s (>216 km/h) at a height of slightly above 600 metres at Kristin's peak intensity in the Leiria district. After making landfall,Kristin quickly moved over Portugal and weakened. In Spain,Kristin caused stormy weather and excessive precipitation.
Effect of climate change
According to a research conducted by Manning et al. (2018),the frequency of extreme windstorms increases with 25-35% as a result of climate change. The main cause is the increased contribution of storms that develop a sting jet as a result of the Global Warming. [12] Kristin had a sting jet,which was responsible for its intensity,according to the IPMA.[13] Global warming also alters large-scale atmospheric circulations,which contributes to environments being more favorable for rapid cyclogenesis and persistent cyclonic influences.[14]
Warnings and preparation
Portugal and Spain
IPMA issued widespread red warnings for the northern and central districts,specifically forecasting hurricane-force winds of 140 km/h and extremely rough seas.
The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority elevated the country to Level 4 (Maximum State of Readiness) in the 24 hours prior to landfall,the highest possible tier of mobilisation. AEMET issued a rare red alert for the interior of Pontevedra (torrential rain >120mm) and parts of the southeast (Almanzora Valley/Almería) for hurricane-force gusts. Orange and yellow alerts covered the Spanish interior for gusts up to 100 km/h,while coastal regions braced for 8-meter waves along the Atlantic. Warnings were issued for the northern plateau (altitudes as low as 600m),threatening major transport arteries like the A-1 and A-6 motorways.[15]
Italy and Greece
The Italian Civil Protection issued Orange Alerts for Lazio,Sardinia,and Molise,citing high-speed winds and hydrogeological risks. Red Alerts for Avalanches were active in the Western Alps. Though the storm was named by IPMA,Greece issued an Orange Warning for Western Greece and the Aegean,forecasting intense thunderstorms and gale-force winds (9 Beaufort). Much of Southern Italy remained under a State of Emergency due to the compounded risk from the previous Storm Harry,which had already destabilized terrain in Niscemi,Sicily.[16][17]
Impact
Portugal
A ruined trampoline found in an undisclosed location after being blown awayDebris from after the initial disaster,clogging in a Leiria street
Kristin made landfall as an extremely powerful storm in the Leiria district in the night of January 28,2026. In Portugal,Storm Kristin was officially recognized as a historic and catastrophic event,with wind gusts reaching an unprecedented 208.8 km/h in the Coimbra region and unofficially 238 km/h in the Leiria district,surpassing records held by Hurricane Leslie. The IPMA also measured a gust of 178 km/h at the Monte Real air base before the monitoring equipment got destroyed by the storm.[18] The storm claimed six lives across the country,with fatalities caused by falling trees,structural collapses,and a tragic incident in the Algarve where a woman was swept away by a flooding stream. Another five people died indirectly,as a result of recovery and cleaning operations or carbon monoxide poisoning by misusage of generators,bringing the total amount of deaths by Kristin to 11. According to Economy Minister Manuel Castro Almeida,Kristin caused a very significant shock to the country's economy and the direct costs of Kristin exceeds €4 billion,which surpasses the €120 million of damage caused by Leslie in 2018. [9] At the peak of the storm,nearly one million people—approximately 10% of the population—were left without power,while the district of Leiria was described as "unrecognisable" following a direct hit that destroyed the municipal stadium and severely damaged the Monte Real air base,including parts of the F-16 fighter fleet.[19][20] Some parishes and municipalities,especially in the Leiria,Coimbra,and Santarém districts,lost all communication. It was estimated that 170 of the 180 companies in the Meirinhas parish lost their roof,as a result of storm Kristin.[3]
Furthermore,the mayor of Leiria described Leiria as a "warzone," describing it will take more than a year to recover. According to him,churches lost roofs,sport halls lost roofs,many houses lost tiles,houses and cars were completely destroyed,and a nursery school in Coucinheira got wiped away. There were more than 100 injuries,as a direct result of Kristin.[4] The prime minister of Portugal,Luís Montenegro,admitted it will take many years before the Pombal area,which is an area in the heavily affected Leiria district,will be fully recovered.[3] A large part of the Leiria National Forest got devastated by Kristin.[21] According to construction companies in Leiria,there is no capacity for recovery,and it will most likely take more than a year for things to go back to the way they were before. Also,factories and houses are completely destroyed according to them.[22] In Leiria,schools were closed for at least a week,as a result of Kristin.[23] In the vicinity of Soure,almost all electricity poles were knocked down by Kristin,alongside with several trees. Soure also experienced multiple floods,due to Kristin.[24] Between 4,000 and 4,500 homes–around 80% or 85% of the municipality's homes–are estimated to be damaged in Ferreira do Zêzere,according to the mayor there. The mayor of Ferreira do Zêzere also estimates that full recovery will take a year and that 70% of the forest cover has fallen. Also,a majority of the buildings there got damaged according to the municipal coordinator of Civil Protection. A former president of the Ferreira do Zêzere council said "It was terrible. But the tornado lasted five minutes. It passed,destroyed everything,and that was it. This was an hour and a half." Ferreira do Zêzere experienced major power and communication outages,due to Kristin.[25]
Around 90% of businesses in Marinha Grande reported damage after Kristin. Almost all trees at the Leiria castle were destroyed by Kristin. [3] All churches in the Caranguejeira Pastoral Unit got severely damaged by Kristin. [26] According to the REN,61 very high voltage poles and 774 kilometers of REN's very high voltage lines were taken down. [27] The Aliança Christian Community Church in Leiria lost its roof. [28] Kristin scattered asbestos roof tiles across the public roads. [29] The municipality of Figueiródos Vinhos has 850 houses that suffered roof damage,as a result of Kristin. [3] The bus terminal of Leiria collapsed,which resulted in around 45 vehicles being damaged. [30] Kristin caused damage to cultural heritage in nearly 20 municipalities,such as the complete destruction of the Charolinha da Mata dos Sete Montes in Tomar and the loss of archaeological complexes at Forto Novo in Loulé.[31] According to the Confederation of Farmers of Portugal,the agricultural and forestry sections suffered losses of €775 million. [32]
By February 2,approximately 147,000 customers of E-Redes still experienced power outages. By February 5,the amount of customers of E-Redes without power decreased to 86,000. [3]
Spain
As the storm moved inland across Spain,it brought a rare and disruptive combination of hurricane-force winds and heavy snowfall. In the south,a woman was killed in Málaga by a falling palm tree,and the Almanzora Valley was placed under a red alert for extreme wind gusts. Central Spain faced significant travel chaos as over 170 roads were affected by snow;the A-6 motorway in Madrid was blocked,leaving dozens of drivers stranded. Additionally,the agricultural sector in Huelva and Almería suffered massive losses as torrential rains flooded greenhouses and high winds destroyed berry-producing tunnels.
In Extremadura,the storm caused widespread wind- and rain-related incidents,prompting emergency coordination by the regional 112 Extremadura service. Between midnight and 18:00 on 28 January,112 handled 2,500 calls and 455 incidents directly linked to the storm;from 26 January (15:00) to 28 January (18:00),it managed 5,260 calls and 1,462 incidents,including 535 related to the weather alert. Telecommunications were affected,with reported line outages in several areas—especially the north of the province of Cáceres—as strong gusts damaged infrastructure. In the city of Cáceres,municipal incidents included falling trees and branches,as well as detached roof elements and masonry;no injuries were reported locally. A large fallen tree damaged part of a perimeter wall at an educational site,alongside additional tree falls at multiple locations across the city. A wind gust of 108 km/h was reported in Cáceres during the event. Road transport was also disrupted across the region. In the province of Cáceres,seven roads and three rural tracks were reported with circulation problems (snow,river overflows,or waterlogged carriageways),and two trucks overturned on the A-66 due to strong winds. As a precaution,the regional government suspended morning classes across Extremadura on 28 January,citing forecasts of heavy rain,snow and strong gusts;snow warnings specifically covered northern areas of the province of Cáceres. Regional emergency and forest-fire crews (Infoex) were deployed to address material damage,including removal of loose roof tiles and clearing wind-blown objects,in multiple localities—several of them in the province of Cáceres—such as Grimaldo,Casares de Hurdes,Hinojal,Brozas,Valdesalor,Garciaz,Membrío,Bohonal de Ibor,and Garrovillas de Alconétar.[238] Two days later,a tornado struck Plasencia.
Italy
In Italy,the arrival of Kristin compounded a pre-existing state of emergency in the south,following the damage already inflicted by the previous week's Storm Harry. The Italian Civil Protection Department issued Orange Alerts for Lazio,Sardinia,and Molise due to the risk of landslides and torrential rain,particularly threatening the town of Niscemi,Sicily,where a massive 4km-long landslide remained active. In the north,the storm triggered high-level avalanche warnings in the Western Alps,while transport networks faced widespread delays,with rail protocols activated to allow for emergency rebookings as gale-force winds hit the Mediterranean coast.
Reactions
International
Pope Leo XIV expressed his condolences for those who have died and spiritual closeness to their families. He,reportedly,felt deeply close to the situation of the injured,the displaced,and all those who have been affected by the extensive damage caused by Kristin.[33]Ursula von der Leyen,the president of the European Commission,expressed her deepest solidarity on X. According to Ursula von der Leyen,the European Union stands ready to support Portugal's recovery.[34]Roberta Metsola,the president of the European Parliament,expressed solidarity with Portugal and thanked those who "are working tirelessly,day and night,to protect lives and restore services," alongside with sharing the grief of those who have lost loved ones.[35]Dan Jørgensen,the commissioner for Energy and Housing of the European Commission,visited one of the most affected areas by Kristin on January 30 and mentioned on X that Europe stands in full solidarity with Portugal.[36]
Portugal
The government of Portugal announced on 28 January that they are permanently monitoring the impact of Kristin in Portugal and offered families of the victims its condolences.[37] Furthermore,a state of emergency was declared for 69 municipalities in response to the extraordinary impact of Kristin. The Leiria City Council and the Institute for Child Support provided psychological support for residents experiencing mental health problems and anxiety as a result of Kristin.[38] Multiple Portuguese artists,such as Ana Lua Caiano,Ana Mariano,and Marisa Liz,announced that a solidarity concert will happen on February 11th to support the victims of Kristin.[3] The Portuguese Red Cross distributes around 10,000 tarpaulins to support families whose homes were damaged by Kristin. The Portuguese government announced a support package up to €2.5 billion.[39] The Leiria City Council cancelled the Leiria Fair of 2026 to focus on the reconstruction of the Leiria municipality. The Minister of Agriculture and the Sea JoséManuel Fernandes requested the activation of the crisis reserve for agriculture in a letter to the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food,after estimated losses of around €500 million in the agricultural sector.[3]
↑"Expresso". Câmara de Leiria e Instituto de Apoio à Criança disponibilizam acompanhamento psicológico para habitantes em “grande fragilidade emocional". Retrieved 4 February 2026.
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