Portugal heatwave pushes mainland temperatures toward 40 °C

The Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) warned that mainland Portugal will experience an intense heat episode from 10 June to 13 June 2026. Maximum temperatures are expected to rise to between 35 °C and 40 °C, with the Minho region possibly reaching 39 °C and several northern cities seeing temperature jumps of up to 8 °C. All districts have been placed under a yellow alert for hot weather, the lowest tier of a three‑level warning system, due to the risk posed to outdoor activities and health. The heat is driven by an anticyclone northeast of the Azores combining with a dry, hot air mass from North Africa, creating a pronounced rise in both daytime highs and nighttime lows, some exceeding 20 °C. Isolated thunderstorms are forecast for interior central and southern zones on Friday, but the overall outlook remains largely clear and extremely warm.