After a heat wave swept through Portugal and other European countries earlier this week, prompting several districts to be placed on red alert due to high temperatures, warnings are beginning to subside.
The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) forecasts indicate that Friday could be the last day, for now, in which several regions of the mainland are under alert, now downgraded to yellow.
According to experts’ analysis, by July 4, it is expected that seven districts, all inland, will remain under yellow alert due to high temperatures. These districts are Vila Real, Bragança, Guarda, Castelo Branco, Portalegre, Évora, and Beja.
Throughout the mainland, maximum temperatures are expected to exceed 25°C, with rain showers forecasted for Coimbra and Vila Real, where the expected maximum is 36°C, and a possibility of thunderstorms.
Forecasts currently suggest that by Saturday, the country will return to green alert with slightly cloudier skies. In Beja, the highest temperatures are expected, reaching 38°C.
Expected Temperatures (and Where)
The IPMA forecast further indicates that Santarém and Castelo Branco will experience the most intense heat, potentially reaching 37°C. Vila Real and Évora will see temperatures climb to 36°C, and Beja, Bragança, and Portalegre to 35°C. The highest temperature in Guarda will be 32°C.
Aside from the districts on yellow alert and the notably hot Santarém, which is under green alert, there are other areas where temperatures will be high.
The capital Lisbon is expected to reach 32°C, Porto 31°C, and the Algarve 27°C in Faro.
The islands, under green alert, will see temperatures around 25°C. This is the maximum temperature expected in Porto Santo, Madeira, with Funchal forecasted to be one degree lower.
Conversely, in the Azores, maximum temperatures will be cooler compared to the neighboring archipelago, with the islands predicting a maximum of 23°C. In Horta and Santa Cruz das Flores, the weather will be partly cloudy, while in Angra do Heroísmo and Ponta Delgada, rain showers are anticipated.
The recent days have been marked by high temperatures in Portugal amid the heat wave. Starting this Tuesday, temperatures are expected to drop slightly, though difficulties in sleeping and working from home may persist.
Adriano Guerreiro | 14:44 – 01/07/2025
The Heatwave and “Excess Mortality”
The heat wave that swept Portugal during the weekend reached unprecedented geographical extents in Southern Europe, with temperatures peaking at 46.6°C in Mora, Évora district.
According to IPMA, this figure was close to but did not surpass the country’s absolute maximum, recorded at 47.3°C in Amareleja, Beja, on August 1, 2003. However, it represents a historic peak—an unprecedented extreme for June in mainland Portugal.
Furthermore, according to data from the Directorate-General of Health (DGS) disclosed Thursday, Portugal registered 69 excess deaths during the heat alert.
“During the hot weather alert starting June 28, 2025, there was a detected excess mortality, with 69 excess deaths observed in mainland Portugal,” reported the DGS.
On Sunday, June 29, approximately 82% of meteorological stations recorded maximum air temperatures above 35°C, while around 37% reached levels exceeding 40°C.
