Residents of the small town of just over 2,000 people, according to the 2011 census, documented the hailstorm, sharing footage of the size of the hail stones and the intensity with which they fell on social media.

According to a report by Correio da Manhã, about 12 litres of rain per square metre was recorded at the peak of Fóia, the mountains on which Monchique is nestled.

Along with this, rain was recorded in many municipalities around the Algarve, with heavy rainfall in Aljezur and Castro Marim.

Weather forecasts for the region in the upcoming days' point towards very cloudy skies with a chance for rain and thunder. The weather is predicted to worsen further on Sunday, with a high possibility of thunderstorm.

To read the weekend weather forecast click here.