Foreboding alert issued by IPMA: Temperatures are expected to escalate, leading to heightened fire hazards
High Temperatures and Increased Wildfire Risk Across Various Regions
According to the IPMA, the upcoming days will witness a significant surge in temperatures in most areas due to the influence of a hot air mass from North Africa. This meteorological phenomenon will result in above-normal temperatures and a gradual increase in minimum temperatures across the country.
Starting from the 27th, Tuesday, the maximum temperature is expected to surpass 30°C in most regions except for some coastal areas in the western region. The South and Tejo Valley, however, will experience temperatures above 35°C. The minimum temperature will likely remain below 10°C in certain northern and central regions until Monday, but will gradually increase to values above 15°C in most areas by the end of the week.
The IPMA has issued a warning, predicting a gradual increase in the Wildfire Risk (PIR) throughout the week. With the classification of elevated or very elevated PIR extending to most regions, some municipalities in the South could reach the maximum PIR classification, leading to restrictions on rural activities.
The prolonged heat and dry weather can be attributed to the high-pressure systems associated with the hot air mass, which block the entry of cooler air masses, thus creating stable atmospheric conditions with little precipitation expected. This continued dry spell is likely to exacerbate the wildfire risk, particularly in rural and agricultural regions where vegetation is dry and soils are parched.
The IPMA further predicts continued clear or mostly clear skies, with some fog during the night and early morning in the north and center regions, primarily at the beginning of the week, and along the coast. The wind will generally blow from the north, becoming moderately strong in certain western coastal regions and highlands, especially in the afternoon. By the 29th and 30th, there will be a trend towards weakening wind, with a more significant prevalence from the east.
In conclusion, the coming days will see sustained hot, dry, and stable weather across various regions influenced by a North African hot air mass. This creates an elevated wildfire risk, especially in rural and drought-affected areas, necessitating vigilance and caution among residents and authorities.
What could the impact of this sustained hot, dry, and stable weather be on climate-change and environmental-science, particularly with regards to wildfire risk? Might this weather pattern exacerbate the ongoing discourse about science and climate-change in our society, as we grapple with the effects of weather anomalies on our environment?
