Storm Charles brings floods and flight cancellations across southern Europe

Heavy rain and strong winds from Storm Charles have caused widespread disruption in southern Europe and parts of Canada, according to The Guardian. The system first struck the Portuguese island of Madeira, where a gust of 84.5 mph (136 km/h) was recorded at Funchal airport and rainfall reached 355 mm in 12 hours. The storm then moved to the mainland on 11 November, bringing similar conditions to Portugal and the far south of Spain.

Lisbon’s airport cancelled 183 flights on Wednesday, roughly a third of its usual daily traffic, while Madrid‑Barajas saw 155 cancellations, the outlet reported. After flooding in Spain and Portugal, the storm tracked northeast through southern France, causing significant flooding in Cannes. Rock falls prompted road closures along the French Riviera.

In Italy, the national weather service issued a red rainfall warning – its highest level – for an area stretching from Tuscany to Venezia. The Guardian noted that further heavy rain is forecast for Italy and the Balkans over the coming days, with models suggesting an additional 100 mm could fall across much of the region and up to 200 mm in mountainous zones. The storm also produced disruption in British Columbia, Canada, where heavy rain and strong winds have been reported over the past week.

Authorities in the affected countries are monitoring river levels and road conditions as the storm continues to move eastward. The combination of high winds, intense rainfall, and subsequent flooding has strained transport networks and raised concerns about landslides and further infrastructure damage.

Why it matters

The storm’s impact on flights, roads and communities highlights the immediate challenges posed by extreme weather across multiple regions.

Key details

Location

Portugal · Europe

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

13 Nov 2026, 14:19 IST

Key names

Storm Charles, Europe, British Columbia, Canada

Section

Environment

Figure cited

A wind gust of 84.5mph (136 km/h) was recorded at Funchal airport, alongside rainfall totals reaching 355mm in 12 hours. (The Guardian)

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianStorm Charles causes floods and flight cancellations across southern Europe 13 Nov, 14:19

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

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