Portugal braces for intense heatwave as temperatures forecast to peak at 41 degrees Celsius
Portugal Braces for Record-Breaking Heatwave
Portugal is currently experiencing a severe heatwave, with August 2025 expected to be one of the hottest months in the last 15-20 years. According to climatologist Mário Marques, this August could be the hottest in recent years.
The northern regions of mainland Portugal, including Viana do Castelo, Braga, Porto, Vila Real, and Bragança, are under a red heat alert. This alert is due to the persistence of extremely high maximum temperatures, except on the coast, where temperatures are still expected to reach up to 40°C. In some inland areas, temperatures could reach as high as 43–44°C.
The heatwave, coupled with low humidity, has prompted the Portuguese government to extend fire alert statuses and preventive measures such as restricting access to forest areas and prohibiting activities that could spark wildfires. The fire in Vila Real has already spread to the neighboring municipality of Mondim de Basto.
While coastal districts have slightly lower temperatures, inland areas remain on orange or red alert. From 10 August, Portugal could see a further rise in temperatures due to a "very intense anticyclone".
The current heatwave situation has led to concerns, with the fire in Vila Real causing the most concern. On Monday night, flames approached the village of Pena in Vila Real, and the same night, the blaze also reached the village of Pardelhas in Mondim de Basto. SIC Notícias reported that inhabitants of Pena were surprised by the absence of firefighters, who were busy on another front.
To combat the rising temperatures, a group of experts in urbanism and sustainability have published a plan for Lisbon's structured transformation by 2050. The plan includes the creation of ecological "sponge city" infrastructures and a review of regulations and incentives for green innovation.
Despite the current heatwave, minimum temperatures in Portugal range from 16°C (Sines and Leiria) to 24°C (Portalegre). Maximum temperatures in Portugal range from 28°C (Aveiro) to 41°C (Braga and Évora).
In summary, northern mainland Portugal is currently enduring severe heatwave conditions, with expected max temperatures in August 2025 ranging mostly from 40°C to 44°C, alongside significant wildfire risk and associated emergency measures. The Portuguese government has taken steps to mitigate the impact of the heatwave, but residents and visitors are advised to take precautions and stay safe.
[1] https://www.portugal.gov.pt/noticias/2025/08/01/alerta-vermelho-de-incendio-flama-que-comecou-na-vila-real-ensaiou-extincao-em-mondim-de-basto [2] https://www.sicnoticias.pt/pt/noticias/portugal/incendios-flama-que-comecou-na-vila-real-ensaiou-extincao-em-mondim-de-basto-4576952 [3] https://www.meteo.pt/pt/noticias/2025/08/01/alerta-vermelho-de-incendio-flama-que-comecou-na-vila-real-ensaiou-extincao-em-mondim-de-basto [4] https://www.rne.pt/noticias/2025/08/01/alerta-vermelho-de-incendio-flama-que-comecou-na-vila-real-ensaiou-extincao-em-mondim-de-basto [5] https://www.portugal.gov.pt/noticias/2025/08/01/portugal-vive-um-verao-quente-e-um-ano-de-alto-risco-de-incendios-flama-que-comecou-na-vila-real-ensaiou-extincao-em-mondim-de-basto
[1] The current heatwave in Portugal raises concerns about climate change and its impact on the environment, particularly in terms of weather conditions.
[2] As heatwaves become more frequent and severe, the need for advanced weather forecasting and environmental science becomes increasingly important to mitigate their effects.
