Iberian Peninsula Blackout

Spain, Portugal, and parts of France were hit by widespread power outages yesterday, impacting tens of millions of people. Power has since been restored in many parts of Spain and France. Restoration of power in Portugal could take longer as the country’s main energy provider warns it must navigate a more complicated grid. 

The cause of the outages was not immediately clear, though investigators have largely ruled out a cyberattack. Portugal’s grid operator suggested induced atmospheric vibration was to blame, a phenomenon whereby extreme temperature changes can cause especially high-voltage lines to oscillate. 

Transportation was disrupted across Spain and Portugal, with operations at major airports interrupted, traffic lights out, and hundreds of flights and trains canceled or delayed. Hospitals stopped routine work, and banks and schools were closed. The Madrid Open postponed tennis matches, with Coco Gauff interrupted mid-interview (w/video)