Officials said rescue services and law enforcement will remain on alert until 3pm Sunday.

The majority of the cases, relating to falling trees, heavy snow and flash flooding, was reported in central in northern Portugal.

The Portuguese Met Office has said that the worst of the weather is forecast to have the biggest effect on the Faro and Beja districts, with the regions being placed on the second highest level of alert.

The orange weather advisory will remain in force between 6pm on Saturday evening and 6am on Sunday morning.

In addition to strong gusts of wind and localised flooding, waves of around 5.5 metres are forecast to batter the Algarve coastline this weekend.

Weather alerts are expected to be reduced to yellow from Sunday afternoon onwards.