Portugal braces for intense heatwave; forecast predicts temperatures could soar up to 109°F
Portugal is currently experiencing a severe heat wave, with temperatures expected to soar between 36 and 44 degrees Celsius from August 1 to August 7, 2025. This extended period of high temperatures has prompted the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) to issue weather warnings across the mainland.
The heat wave is particularly intense in inland areas, with the Alentejo, Tagus Valley, and most of the inland Douro Valley expected to see temperatures between 41 and 44 degrees Celsius. Coastal zones, however, will experience somewhat lower highs.
Starting Saturday, 17 districts in mainland Portugal will be under a yellow warning due to high maximum temperatures. These districts include Bragança, Viseu, Évora, Porto, Guarda, Vila Real, Setúbal, Santarém, Viana do Castelo, Lisbon, Leiria, Beja, Castelo Branco, Aveiro, Coimbra, Portalegre, and Braga. The district of Faro will be under a yellow warning instead of an orange warning, with the warning period extending from Saturday morning to Sunday evening.
The district of Faro will also be under a yellow warning between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. All other districts in mainland Portugal, except for Faro, are under an orange warning during the same timeframe.
The orange warning, the second most severe on a scale of three, is issued by the IPMA whenever there is a "moderate to high risk meteorological situation." The yellow warning, the least severe, is issued when there is a risk situation for certain activities dependent on the meteorological situation.
This heatwave is expected to be considerably severe, both due to its duration and the very high maximum temperatures. The IPMA has classified this episode as "considerably severe" due to these factors and temperatures well above seasonal averages.
While the exact named warning levels (such as yellow, orange, or red alerts) have not been explicitly stated, given the temperatures exceeding 40°C inland and the classification as a severe episode, it is consistent with the highest-level heat warnings issued by IPMA in such situations.
Tropical nights with low temperatures between 20°C and 25°C are also expected across most of the mainland, starting Monday.
It is essential for residents and visitors to take necessary precautions during this heat wave, such as staying hydrated, wearing loose-fitting clothing, and seeking shade when possible. The IPMA advises checking their website for the latest weather updates and warnings.
The extreme heatwave in Portugal, predicted to last from August 1 to August 7, 2025, is prompting the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) to issue weather warnings, especially in inland regions such as the Alentejo, Tagus Valley, and inland Douro Valley, where temperatures will reach between 41 and 44 degrees Celsius. This weather event is classified as "considerably severe" by the IPMA due to its prolonged duration and high maximum temperatures, making it crucial for residents and visitors to take precautions like staying hydrated, wearing loose-fitting clothing, and seeking shade, while also monitoring updates on the IPMA's website for the latest on environmental-science-related weather warnings and conditions in Portugal.
