Portugal summer 2026 ranked third hottest since 1931

The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) reported that the summer of 2026 in mainland Portugal was the third hottest since 1931. The average air temperature was 23.17°C, which is 1.21°C above the 1991-2020 average, trailing only the summers of 2025 and 2005.

The season was characterized by two major heatwaves: one from June 9 to June 24, and a more significant one from June 29 to July 11, which affected 77% of analyzed stations. The hottest day of the summer was July 4, while the highest recorded temperature was 44.3°C in Mora on July 3.

Despite the extreme heat, total precipitation remained near normal levels at 43.3 mm, representing 97% of the historical average. While June and July were drier than usual, an intense rainfall episode in late August—with precipitation 2.6 times higher than the norm—brought the seasonal total back to normal levels. This late-season rain also helped reduce drought conditions across the country.