Statement from IPMA on the claim that "a bomb cyclone will hit Portugal": What is actually coming?

Portuguese meteorological authority IPMA responded directly to the claims circulating on social media and in some news that “Portugal will be hit by a bomb cyclone next week”.

According to IPMA, Portugal will not be hit by a “bomb cyclone”.

However, the news should not be completely misunderstood:

A really rapidly strengthening low pressure system is expected to form in the Atlantic and Portugal will feel the indirect effects of this.

Result: Rain is coming and temperatures are dropping in the coming days.

Where will the “bomb cyclone” form?

The technical expression used in meteorology is ciclogénese explosiva — explosiva cyclogenesis.

It refers to the strengthening of the central pressure of a low pressure system by falling very rapidly.

According to IPMA, this process will occur in the North Atlantic, west of Ireland, on Tuesday, September 29.

The system will be quite far from Portugal.

Therefore:

The statement “Bomb cyclone is coming to Portugal” is not true.

First rains may be seen on Monday

On Monday, September 28, showers may be seen in some parts of mainland Portugal with the approach of the low pressure trough connected to the main system.

IPMA draws attention to the possibility of thunderstorms in inland areas, especially in the afternoon.

The real change is expected in the next two days.

Watch out for Norte and Centro on Tuesday and Wednesday

Between the afternoon of Tuesday, September 29th and Wednesday, September 30th, a system-related cold front moved from mainland Portugal. It will pass.

As a result, periodic rain is expected.

It is possible that rainfall will be heavy from time to time, especially in the Norte and Centro regions.

In the Sul region, forecast uncertainty is higher and the probability of significant precipitation is lower.

Temperatures are also falling

After the hot weather in recent days, a decrease in temperatures is expected.

According to IPMA's assessment of 26 September, maximum temperatures are generally:

20–26°C in Norte and Centro,

25–32°C in Sul

will be in the range.

Since the forecast may be updated in the coming days, IPMA's warnings should be followed, especially for 29–30 September.

The bottom line for the PTNewsHub reader

For now, there is no official warning requiring extraordinary "cyclone preparation".

But it makes sense, especially for those living in Norte and Centro, to follow the possibility of rain that may increase on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In short:

The cyclone does not hit Portugal; But the front affiliated with it will change the atmosphere of Portugal.

Resources

IPMA — “Esclarecimento sobre mudança do estado do tempo em Portugal continental na próxima semana”, 26 September 2026

https://www.ipma.pt/pt/otempo/comunicados/index.jsp/

Diário de Notícias — 26 September 2026

https://www.dn.pt/sociedade/ipma-desmente-ciclone-bomba-mas-temperaturas-vo-baixar-e-vem-a-chuva