Portugal faces extreme heat with temperatures topping 40 °C and high fire risk

A heat wave is sweeping Portugal, with maximum temperatures forecast to exceed 40 °C in several inland valleys, including the Douro, Tagus and Guadiana basins. The Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA) predicts peaks of 40 °C or higher in Santarém and Évora, while Lisbon is expected to reach 37 °C and Porto about 31 °C. Seventeen districts are under a yellow heat‑warning, reflecting the risk of sustained high temperatures.

The same warm, dry conditions have pushed fire danger to the highest levels across most of mainland Portugal. The IPMA’s fire‑risk assessment classifies the north and centre districts as “maximum” risk, with only the coastal Faro district rated lower. Authorities warn that the combination of extreme heat and low humidity creates a volatile environment for wildfires, prompting heightened vigilance and preventive measures.

The phenomenon is driven by a strong anticyclone over central Europe and a trough over North Africa, which transports hot, dry air southward onto the Iberian Peninsula. Rainfall chances remain low for the week, reinforcing the persistence of the heat and the elevated fire threat.