According to meteorologist Patricia Gomes, today rain is still forecast for the North and Center regions, which will be more frequent in the Minho and Douro coastal regions, but temperatures are already on the rise.

“The biggest rise will be for tomorrow, Saturday, where it is expected that in some places in the country it will be accentuated. We are talking about variations compared to today between 6 to 8 degrees. On Sunday we are going to have another more significant rise in temperature in the coastal regions and then we are going to have very high temperature values all over the territory. We are talking about values above 30 degrees in some places in the Alentejo and the Tagus Valley region”, she said.

According to Patrícia Gomes, Monday will be the hottest day with temperatures ranging between 28 and 29 degrees and above 30 in some places, with values close to 34 degrees in the Tagus Valley and Alentejo.

“It will be a relatively punctual situation. The temperature starts to rise today, but from Tuesday, the 18th, a gradual decrease in temperature values is expected. In the first days of the week the values will be high and in the end many places will return and have more usual temperatures for this time of year between 20 and 25 degrees”, she indicated.

The IPMA meteorologist highlighted that the temperature values are above what is normal for the season.

“In some places we are talking about variations 5 to 7 degrees above what is normal for this time of year”, she said.

Fire risk

Due to the weather forecast for the next few days, the danger of rural fire will increase in mainland Portugal.

“The danger of rural fire will rise by temperature values. The synoptic situation leads to dry weather. Relative humidity values will be relatively low, especially in the interior and in the Alentejo regions, and also due to the wind, which will occasionally be more intense, especially in the highlands. This set of factors will make the danger increase a little throughout the country”, she concluded.

According to the IPMA, the municipalities of Tavira and São Brás de Alportel, in the district of Faro, are currently in maximum danger of rural fire.

The IPMA also placed the municipalities of Sardoal and Mação (Santarém), Gavião (Portalegre), Aljezur, Lagos, Portimão, Monchique, Silves, Loulé, Alcoutim and Castro Marim (Faro) at very high risk of fire.

More than 40 municipalities in the districts of Faro, Beja, Évora, Leiria, Santarém, Portalegre, Castelo Branco, Viseu, Guarda and Bragança are also at high risk of fire.