Drivers are being warned to be careful when driving on the hilly roads of Monchique as subzero temperatures have turned some roads icy, which could lead to difficult driving conditions.
One reader told the Resident that the N267 road linking Monchique and Alferce was “covered in patches of frost” this Wednesday morning, especially in shaded areas.
“When I drove along it, it was quite slippery in a few places – the steering became rather light. Fortunately at low speed this was not a big issue,” reader Peter Weaver said.
“Judging by the marks in the frosty white surface someone before me had been going too fast, braked at a bend, skidded straight-on and stopped only just in time; otherwise they could have gone tumbling over the edge into the valley below, as there are no crash barriers along the road” he added.
As he pointed out: “There are many places on that road that get no sun in winter, so the road remains cold-soaked and frosted even well into the afternoon.
“There is a permanent road sign (snowflake in a red triangle) as you leave Monchique warning of potentially bad road conditions on the N267; this week they really mean it,” Weaver concluded.
The warning is applicable to any stretch of road, particularly in hilly areas, that does not receive direct sunlight.
Portugal is still expecting several days of extremely cold weather before minimum temperatures begin to gradually increase again by next week.
Photos: Peter Weaver
