Environment: Climate news in Portugal

Following a mild end to August, temperatures are set to rise significantly across Portugal, with the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera or IPMA) forecasting highs exceeding 35ºC. Some interior regions of the Alentejo may see temperatures reach or surpass 40ºC by mid-week. The warming trend is attributed to the influence of an anticyclonic region near the Bay of Biscay.

The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera or IPMA) has forecast heavy showers and thunderstorms for the coast and the North and Centre regions starting Sunday. A low-pressure system arriving from the Azores will bring strong winds and rough seas, marking a shift from the current dry weather.

The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera or IPMA) confirmed that mainland Portugal entered a meteorological drought during July, which was the driest month of the century. The period included a heatwave that set new absolute temperature records across the country.

The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera or IPMA) has issued warnings for a prolonged heatwave starting Monday, with temperatures expected to reach 44°C in some areas. The extreme weather, characterized by tropical nights and low humidity, will primarily affect the interior, Centre, and Alentejo regions, significantly increasing fire risks.

Update: Health Minister warns of heatwave mortality risks

Minister of Health Ana Paula Martins has acknowledged that the extreme temperatures may increase mortality rates in Portugal. She stated that the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) is prepared for the heat, while also noting that the country will increasingly need to rely on the private sector to manage healthcare demand due to a growing resident population.

High temperatures are expected to persist throughout the coming week, with Portugal remaining affected by the heatwave.

The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera or IPMA) reported that the heatwave experienced in May was the second longest and second most intense since records began. The event lasted 9.5 days, trailing only a 9.7-day heatwave recorded in 1964.