Next week it will be very hot across the whole of mainland Portugal, much as it will be in much of Europe. The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has confirmed forecasts pointing to very high temperatures in Lisbon, around 37 degrees, and above 40 in inland regions, particularly the Alentejo.
The official designation of a “heatwave” can only be confirmed later, as it requires at least six consecutive days with temperatures at least five degrees above the average of the past 30 years, within a 15-day window.
Meteorologist Paula Leitão, from IPMA, told Euronews that “it is very likely that yellow or orange warnings for high temperatures will be issued for the whole of mainland Portugal”, but such warnings can only be issued a maximum of 72 hours in advance.
Paula Leitão explains that the high temperatures will begin on Saturday 20: “On Saturday they already rise a little, then there is a gradual increase on Sunday and in the following days. In the Alentejo and the hottest parts of the country, temperatures will reach values close to 43 degrees. Our forecasts are drawn up with a certain degree of accuracy, allowing us to inform the public over a 10-day period. Throughout that period, from Saturday to the end of the 10 days, the weather will remain hot, although with a slight downward trend on Thursday and Friday.”
