The parades in Sesimbra, Ovar, Estarreha, Buarcos/Figueira da Foz, Mealhada, Elvas and Funchal were all called off, with northern and central Portugal hardest hit by the stormy weather.


But despite the bad weather, hundreds of festive goers in these towns decided to brave the streets to show off their costumes.
Ovar, which is one of the more popular destinations for visitors at Carnival, was forced to cancel a parade which included 2,000 people, 14 floats and four Samba schools.


Those who had travelled to Elvas, including groups from the nearby Spanish towns in Badajoz and Olivença, were also left disappointed as parades in the Alentejo city were called off.


Tourism authorities in Madeira said that while the Funchal parade scheduled for Tuesday had been cancelled, it had been rescheduled for Saturday, when weather conditions are expect to be have returned to normal.


Elsewhere, popular celebrations, such as those in Loulé and Torres Vedras went ahead as planned, despite also having to brave the wind and showers.