Storm Emília: Madeira Under Red Alert
A powerful storm, Emília, has hit Madeira today, December 13, 2025, causing widespread disruption across the entire island. The weather is having a major impact on transportation, safety, and planned events. For tourists, this means a day of changes, patience, and, above all, caution.
✈️ Air Travel: All Flights Canceled, Do Not Go to the Airport!
Who is affected?
All passengers scheduled to arrive in or depart from Madeira today (Saturday).
What does this mean in practice?
- All of today’s flights have been canceled due to extremely high winds and poor visibility.
- The situation has affected over 30,000 passengers, which will cause knock-on delays in the coming days once operations resume.
- The airport is chaotic, with long, exhausting queues for rebooking tickets.
What we recommend:
- STAY AT YOUR HOTEL. Do not go to the airport; you won’t resolve anything faster there and will save yourself hours of waiting.
- Contact your airline online or by phone to rebook your flight remotely.
- According to meteorologists, expect operations to resume on Sunday afternoon at the earliest. Extend your accommodation in advance.
🥾 Mountains, Levadas, and Trails: Extreme Danger, Stay Safe!
Who is affected?
All fans of hiking, trekking, levadas, and nature.
What does this mean in practice?
- There is snow on the mountain peaks (Pico do Areeiro, Pico Ruivo). Combined with high winds and freezing temperatures, conditions are life-threatening. Access roads may be icy or closed.
- Across the entire island, there is a risk of falling trees and landslides. Civil Protection has recorded nearly 200 incidents, which is a clear signal to exercise extreme caution.
- Levadas and coastal promenades are dangerous due to the risk of falling branches and high waves.
What we recommend:
Forget about any hikes today. Do not venture into the mountains, onto the levadas, or to viewpoints. Safety is the absolute priority. Also, limit car travel to the bare minimum and never park under trees.
🎄 Christmas Markets and Events: Schedule Changes
Who is affected?
Tourists who were looking forward to the Christmas atmosphere and cultural programs in the cities.
What is being canceled or changed?
- Funchal: The main “Christmas Village” (Aldeia de Natal) in Praça do Município is closed today for safety reasons.
- Ribeira Brava: Today’s entertainment program at the local Christmas markets has been canceled.
- Santa Cruz: The popular “Noite do Mercado” event, scheduled for this weekend, has been postponed to December 19.
What we recommend:
Instead of outdoor events, consider visiting indoor venues such as museums, galleries, or the Blandy’s Wine Lodge in Funchal. However, always check the current opening hours in advance, as these may also be affected.