Storm Charles: Madeira, Canary Islands, Portugal and Spain on alert on 10 and 11 November, flights to watch

By FlightClaimHQ Newsroom
Published 10 November 2026, 07:40 (UK time)

Storm Charles, a subtropical depression that follows Storm Bruna, is expected to hit Madeira from the evening of Tuesday 10 November 2026, then mainland Portugal and Spain on Wednesday 11 November, with strong winds and heavy rain. The Canary Islands are also on alert. As of the morning of 10 November, no airline or airport in the sources we checked had announced cancellations linked to Charles.

Madeira: worst conditions from Tuesday evening

The Portuguese weather service IPMA has issued six orange warnings for rain and wind in Madeira and Porto Santo, from 9pm on Tuesday 10 November to midday on Wednesday 11 November, the Madeira daily DNOTICIAS reported. According to IPMA forecasts relayed by RTP and Euronews, gusts should reach 80 to 100 km/h, and about 130 km/h on high ground, with more than 100 mm of rain in 12 hours in places. The regional civil protection service expects the most critical period between late Tuesday and early Wednesday morning, the Lusa news agency reported.

The island is still recovering from Storm Bruna, which caused dozens of cancellations at Madeira airport in Funchal on 7 and 8 November. RTP reported on 10 November that disruption at the airport could last several more days.

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Mainland Portugal, Spain and the Canary Islands on Wednesday

On the mainland, IPMA expects conditions to worsen from late morning on Wednesday 11 November, with gusts of 100 to 120 km/h. The districts of Faro, Lisbon, Setúbal, Santarém, Leiria and Beja are under an orange wind warning from midday to 9pm, according to RTP. IPMA says the track and strength of the storm remain highly uncertain. The Azores are not expected to be affected.

In Spain, the weather agency AEMET has issued a special warning for 10 to 12 November and names Wednesday as the worst day, with gusts of 90 to 100 km/h from midday in Andalusia, Extremadura and western Castilla-La Mancha, Soria Noticias and Euro Weekly News reported. In the Canary Islands, AEMET expects winds of 80 to 100 km/h from late Tuesday, possibly above 130 km/h in exposed areas of La Palma and Tenerife. The regional government has declared a wind alert for the whole archipelago from 6pm on Tuesday, Diario de Avisos reported.

What it means for flights

Strong winds and heavy rain can cause delays, diversions and cancellations. Check your flight status with your airline before leaving for the airport on 10, 11 and 12 November. Wednesday 11 November is also the day of the general strike in Spain, covered in our article of 21 October, which may add to disruption at Spanish airports.

Your rights if your flight is cancelled or delayed

A storm is usually an extraordinary circumstance, so fixed compensation is generally not due when the weather directly causes a delay or cancellation. It depends on the facts: a flight cancelled for another reason, such as a technical fault or missing crew, may still qualify. Whatever the cause, a cancelled flight gives you the choice of a refund or a new flight, and the airline must provide meals and refreshments and, if you are stuck overnight, a hotel and transfers. Keep your boarding passes and receipts. FlightClaimHQ can check your case and handle the claim for you.

Your rights if your flight is affected

You may be entitled to fixed compensation per passenger if:

your flight arrived at its final destination 3 hours or more late;
your flight was cancelled and you were told less than 14 days before departure;

UK261 (flights departing from the UK, or arriving in the UK with a UK or EU airline): £220, £350 or £520 depending on flight distance.

EU261 (flights departing from the EU, or arriving in the EU with an EU airline): €250, €400 or €600 depending on flight distance.

You cannot claim if the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances outside the airline's control, such as severe weather or air traffic control strikes. The airline must prove it.

Whatever the cause, while you wait the airline must provide care: meals and refreshments, and a hotel room with transfers if you are stuck overnight. Keep receipts for reasonable expenses.

Frequently asked questions

Have flights been cancelled because of Storm Charles?

As of the morning of 10 November, no airline or airport in the sources we checked had announced cancellations linked to Charles. Check your flight status with your airline before going to the airport.

Can I get compensation for a flight cancelled by Storm Charles?

Usually not, because severe weather is generally an extraordinary circumstance. You still have the right to a refund or a new flight, and to care while you wait.