The districts of Évora, Setúbal, and Beja will be under a yellow weather alert from 9 a.m. today until 9 p.m. on Friday due to persistently high temperatures.
Bragança, Guarda, Vila Real, Santarém, Lisbon, Castelo Branco, and Portalegre will be under a similar alert from 9 a.m. Thursday until 9 p.m. Friday.
The yellow alert, the least severe on a scale of three, is issued when there is a risk to certain activities depending on the weather conditions.
According to IPMA, temperatures in mainland Portugal will continue to rise until Saturday, with values exceeding 33 degrees Celsius. There is also a predicted decrease in humidity and strong winds, meteorological conditions that significantly increase the risk of rural fires.
The IPMA anticipates “values above 33/35°C in most of the national territory,” with northern quadrant winds, air relative humidity levels below 30%, and tropical nights in the interior of the Central and Southern regions between Thursday and Saturday.
Following the weather forecast, the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) warns of the significant increase in the risk of rural fires, particularly in the northern and central interior and the southern region.
ANEPC advises the population to adjust their behavior considering the increased fire danger.
“The Special Rural Fire Fighting Device (DECIR/25) is activated, with about 8,900 operatives mobilized, supported by more than 1,800 vehicles and 33 aerial means,” ANEPC adds.
The forecasted hot weather has also led the Directorate-General of Health to recommend preventive measures, such as the regular intake of water while avoiding alcoholic beverages.
The DGS advises avoiding sun exposure between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., recommending the use of loose clothing that covers most of the body, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses, as well as sunscreen with a protection factor of 30, reapplying it every two hours.
Special attention should be given to chronic patients, children, the elderly, and people with reduced mobility, while staying informed about weather conditions to take necessary precautions.
The health authority also suggests making cool, light meals eaten more frequently throughout the day, having outdoor work accompanied, keeping blinds down, allowing air circulation at sunset, and staying in cool environments for at least two to three hours a day.
