“The forecast for the first day of spring [Wednesday] is for very cloudy skies, showers especially in the interior north and centre, the possibility of thunderstorms, especially in the north and centre, and light to moderate wind”, said the meteorologist from the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).

According to Patrícia Gomes, spring begins with a drop in maximum temperatures, which will vary between 17 and 22 degrees, depending on the region of the country.

“As far as minimums are concerned, the nights will be cold, with minimums varying between 7 and 11 degrees,” she said.

From Thursday onwards, according to Patrícia Gomes, "temperatures will rise, reaching highs of above 25 degrees on Friday in some regions of the country”, she said.

In the Madeira archipelago, the IPMA predicts generally very cloudy skies and showers for the first day of spring, more likely on the northern slopes and highlands of the island of Madeira.

In Madeira temperatures will fluctuate between 15 and 22 degrees and in Porto Santo between 15 and 20.

In the Azores archipelago, the IPMA predicts periods of very cloudy skies and generally weak winds.

In the western group (Flores and Corvo) temperatures will vary between 15 and 19 degrees, in the central group (S. Jorge, Faial, Pico, Terceira and Graciosa) between 13 and 18 and in the eastern group (São Miguel and Santa Maria) between 12 and 17.