Portugal is currently experiencing a heatwave, with high temperatures expected to persist until at least August 6. Several districts in the northern region of the country are under a red alert.
The Directorate-General of Health (DGS) has taken to social media once again to issue “important recommendations” that the public should follow to protect their health and that of their loved ones.
What should you do?
- Stay indoors in a cool or ventilated place;
- If you don’t have air conditioning, find nearby air-conditioned locations;
- Drink water even if you’re not thirsty;
- Avoid strenuous activities or travel during peak heat hours;
- Avoid direct sun exposure between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM;
- Wear light-colored, lightweight, and loose clothing that covers most of the body, and wear a hat and sunglasses with UV protection;
- Pay special attention to groups more vulnerable to heat, such as children, the elderly, chronically ill individuals, pregnant women, and outdoor workers;
- Check in on and keep in contact with the elderly and others living in isolation;
- Stay informed about weather conditions;
The DGS warns that “the risk is real” and “these heat periods are associated with increased mortality, especially in more vulnerable populations, such as the elderly or those with chronic illnesses.”
It should be noted that the five northernmost districts of the country – Bragança, Braga, Porto, Vila Real, and Viana do Castelo – are under a maximum red alert this Monday, due to extremely high maximum temperature values, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA).
The alert will remain until 6:00 PM on Tuesday, at which point it will be downgraded to an orange alert (for Vila Real and Bragança) and yellow for the other areas.
The five northernmost districts of mainland Portugal are under a red alert today, the highest, due to persistent extremely high maximum temperature values, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA).
Lusa | 07:00 – 04/08/2025
Do you know where it was hottest on Sunday?
According to data from the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA), analyzed by Notícias ao Minuto, the highest recorded maximum temperature was 43.9 degrees at Alvega station, followed by 43.6 degrees recorded in Mora.
The data shows that maximum temperatures were high throughout the country, with several locations exceeding 40 degrees.
The country has been on alert since Sunday due to the high fire risk for the coming days. At around 40 stations, the maximum temperature recorded exceeded 40 degrees.
Tomásia Sousa | 10:24 – 04/08/2025
It’s also important to highlight that on Saturday, the government declared a “state of alert across the entire national territory,” due to “weather forecasts for the coming days indicating a significant increase in the risk of rural fires.”
The alert status has been in effect since midnight on Sunday, August 3, and will extend until 11:59 PM on Thursday, August 6.
Alert enters into force at midnight and extends until 11:59 PM on Thursday, August 7.
Carolina Pereira Soares with Lusa | 13:06 – 02/08/2025
