Extreme heat alert issued as temperatures soar above 40 degrees Celsius
Get ready, Portugal! This weekend is shaping up to be a scorcher as temperatures soar due to a relentless heatwave kicking off on Friday. Here's what you need to know.
Five districts—Évora, Faro, Setúbal, Beja, and Portalegre—will be under an orange warning from midnight on Saturday to midnight on Sunday due to "persistent high maximum temperature values." A yellow warning will be in effect for these areas from 9:00 am on Friday until midnight on Saturday [1].
Between the same time on Friday and midnight on Sunday, Bragança, Viseu, Guarda, Vila Real, Santarém, Lisbon, and Castelo Branco will also be under a yellow warning due to the sweltering heat. Porto, Viana do Castelo, Leiria, Aveiro, Coimbra, and Braga will be under a yellow warning from 9:00 am on Saturday until midnight on Sunday [1].
The orange warning, the second most serious on a scale of three, is issued by the IPMA (Portuguese Institute of Meteorology and Geology) whenever there's a "meteorological situation of moderate to high risk" [2]. Yellow, the least serious warning, is issued when there's a risk situation for certain activities dependent on the meteorological situation.
The IPMA forecasts a 10-degree Celsius temperature rise between today and the weekend, with maximum temperatures shooting above 40 degrees in some regions [1]. According to the Institute, the weather in mainland Portugal and the Madeira archipelago will be influenced by an anticyclone positioned north of the Iberian Peninsula and a depression responsible for bringing a mass of hot air from North Africa [2].
On the mainland, temperatures will steadily climb, with most areas seeing highs between 35 and 40 °C starting on Saturday [1]. The south, Tagus valley, and Douro Valley will experience even hotter temperatures, with values between 40 and 44 °C [1]. The minimum temperature will hover around 20 °C in many regions, especially in the southern region, where it may not drop below 25 °C in certain places such as on the Algarve coast and the Portalegre region [1].
Brace yourself for some dust in the air, especially in the southern region, starting this afternoon, with the phenomenon likely to spread across the country in the following days [1].
The Madeira archipelago will also see a temperature rise over the coming days, with the island of Madeira's highlands expecting values between 26 and 28 °C on Saturday and Sunday [1]. The minimum temperature on the south coast and on Porto Santo will remain above 20 °C, designated as tropical nights [1]. The north coast and highlands will experience minimum temperatures between 14 and 18 °C [1].
The IPMA predicts this heatwave may linger until the beginning of July, especially in the southern region, so pack your sunscreen and stay hydrated, folks! Keep an eye out for any official heat warnings issued locally [1].
Stay cool, Portugal! This heatwave might just be the hottest of the year so far, with temperatures potentially reaching 44 to 46 °C in some valleys in southern Portugal on Sunday [1]. As always, take care and follow any safety advice issued by local authorities.
[1] Heatwave forecast for Portugal: Temperatures set to soar above 40 degrees. (n.d.). Retrieved June 23, 2021, from https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/ Euro/a-35960561/portugal-heatwave-forecast- temperature-rise-webcam.html
[2] Portugal's weather forecast: what to expect this weekend. (n.d.). Retrieved June 23, 2021, from https://www.theworldnews.com/portugals- weather-forecast-what-to-expect-this-weekend-23265268.php
The immediate weather forecast for Portugal indicates a heatwave is approaching, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees in some regions, particularly in the southern region and Algarve, starting on Saturday. News outlets are advised to stay updated on official heat warnings issued locally, as this heatwave might last until the beginning of July.
