With the freeze expected to continue for some time in the UK does that mean we can look forward to a repeat of last years long wet winter in Portugal.
The forcast for the Algarve is not promising with cool wet weather expected to continue for 7-10 days.

As you say EMM the omens aren't good Our holly tree has all the berries left on it so the birds are leaving them in expectation of a bad winter
Sadly I am not making any plans for a winter visit

EMM wrote:With the freeze expected to continue for some time in the UK does that mean we can look forward to a repeat of last years long wet winter in Portugal.
The forcast for the Algarve is not promising with cool wet weather expected to continue for 7-10 days.

It's the positioning of the pressure belts across the N Hemisphere that dictates our weather.

At the mo there is High Pressure over Greenland and low pressure to the south over mainland europe - giving the UK v cold easterlies or north easterlies. Hence, the jet stream is further south than a more normal mild UK Winter. If the pattern basically remains the same for next couple months then, YES, Portugal is v likely to have a cool, wet winter.
If the belts shift and the atlantic rolls back into the UK bringing mild south westerlies/westerlies then it's likely that Portugal will be mild and drier for rest of winter, as the jet stream would then have shifted back north to the north or near to the UK.

Just been looking at the BBC weather site , its shows sunny and 20degrees for Portimao today dropping down to 9 ( rain friday ) and 12 ( Sunny saturday ).
Given that the UK looks like its heading for another big freeze I know where will will be this weekend.

Looks as though maybe we will have a traditional Algarve winter this year, great get all the rain before Christmas then clear January and February days, maybe a bit of frost in the mornings but lovely sunny days for walks along the beach, woolies on at 4pm and lazy evenings in front of the log fire with a drink or two.

That sounds good - especially as we are out for a month mid Jan! Should be excellent for planting new shrubs and fruit trees!

When we went to live in Algarve we first of all stayed in Carvoeiro(our apartment wasn't ready in Lagoa)....and I was very disappointed with the April weather, it was very rainy. But as soon as May arrived it was glorious, sunshine all the way.
Apparently we are going to have snow for Christmas..the weatherman said this morning up to 8 inches !!

Ellie wrote:...... this morning up to 8 inches !!

Nah, that's just too easy to reply to.

Jaylay wrote:Looks as though maybe we will have a traditional Algarve winter this year, great get all the rain before Christmas then clear January and February days, maybe a bit of frost in the mornings but lovely sunny days for walks along the beach, woolies on at 4pm and lazy evenings in front of the log fire with a drink or two.

Great! I'm out for a fortnight's golf mid January. Been missing it here with the snow and ice.

Sounds perfect arriving for a weeks stay in CVO 2nd Jan.

Ray & Carole

Clear cool morning here in Carvoeiro expected to cloud over, yesterday afternoon was 17 degrees

Now I am so envious. I am trying to talk my partner into taking a break in Cvo in February, but it is hard work. We are expecting snow here anytime now this is supposed to be the second big freeze thought last year was bad enough. We in the UK are just not geared to snow, went to Munich a couple of weeks ago and yes there was snow but life went on as usual. Happy Days in Cvo!

Today has been bright and sunny - but the wind is very cold.

We went to Luz for a look around. It was deserted, no one about except those that work in the couple of places that are open. We then took the coast road towards Bergua [sp] and beyond - and saw no one.

Its 15 degrees and absolutely P ****** down, just like last year.
Heavy showers forcast for most of the day.

But its a hell of a lot better than being stuck in a UK airport for a flight that may not leave for hours if it goes at all.

Here in Surrey we've just had about 6inches of snow in 3 hours! Our dog just went out for a bound around and it was up to her belly. I think I'd prefer it cloudy and overcast thank you!!!