Storm Charles has brought a wave of destructive weather across southern Europe this week, leading to widespread flooding, significant travel disruption, and severe wind conditions. The weather system first impacted the Portuguese island of Madeira before moving towards the mainland on 11 November, subsequently tracking north-easterly through the Iberian Peninsula, southern France, and northern Italy.

Initial impacts were felt acutely in Portugal and the far south of Spain. Funchal airport in Madeira recorded a formidable wind gust of 84.5mph (136 km/h), accompanied by torrential rainfall totals reaching 355mm within a 12-hour period. The storm's progression led to substantial air travel disruptions on the Iberian Peninsula, with Lisbon experiencing 183 flight cancellations on Wednesday, accounting for approximately a third of its typical daily traffic. Madrid Barajas airport also reported 155 cancellations due to the adverse conditions.

After causing widespread flooding across Spain and Portugal, Storm Charles continued its trajectory, impacting southern France. The city of Cannes experienced significant inundation, with some areas reporting rock falls that necessitated the closure of roads along the picturesque French Riviera. The severe weather conditions posed considerable challenges for local authorities and residents in these coastal regions.

The system then advanced towards northern Italy, prompting the Italian weather service to issue a red rainfall warning, its highest alert level. This warning encompassed a broad area stretching from Tuscany to Venezia, indicating a high risk of severe rainfall and its associated hazards. Forecast models suggest that additional heavy rain is expected to fall across Italy and the Balkans over the next few days, with accumulations potentially reaching 100mm widely, and totals nearing 200mm in more mountainous terrains. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as the storm's effects persist across the region.