Rain returns to mainland Portugal on Friday, accompanied by a drop in temperature, particularly in the maximum values, according to the forecast from the Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA).
In the North and Central regions, the IPMA predicts “skies with periods of heavy cloud, generally very cloudy along the coast, especially from the afternoon onwards.”
“Periods of light rain or drizzle are expected from the morning on the coast, more frequent from late afternoon,” with winds blowing “light to moderate (up to 30 km/h) from the west/northwest, becoming moderate to strong (30 to 45 km/h) in the highlands from late afternoon, occasionally gusting up to 60 km/h.”
A “slight drop in temperature, especially the maximum and in the interior,” is anticipated.
In the South, “skies with periods of heavy cloud, appearing slightly cloudy or clear in Baixo Alentejo and Algarve” are also expected.
Winds will blow “light to moderate (up to 30 km/h) from the northwest, temporarily southwest on the southern coast of the Algarve during the afternoon, and occasionally strong (up to 40 km/h) on the western coastal strip south of Cabo Espichel during the afternoon, blowing moderate to strong (30 to 45 km/h) in the highlands, occasionally gusting up to 60 km/h.”
A “drop in maximum temperature, more significant on the southern coast of the Algarve” is expected.
Minimum temperatures will range from 11 degrees Celsius (in Guarda and Viseu) to 20 (in Faro) and maximums between 22 (in Porto and Viana do Castelo) and 32 (in Faro).
The forecast for the weekend is similar. Both Saturday and Sunday are expected to experience periods of cloudy skies and rain, especially in the North and Center. Additionally, temperatures are expected to continue dropping.
More Than 50 Municipalities in Nine Districts at Maximum Fire Risk
Despite the drop in temperatures, more than 50 municipalities in the districts of Bragança, Vila Real, Viseu, Guarda, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Santarém, Portalegre, and Faro are at maximum rural fire risk, according to the IPMA.
Several municipalities in the northern and central interior and the Algarve also present a very high rural fire risk.
According to the institute’s calculations, the rural fire risk will remain elevated at least until Monday in some districts.
This risk, determined by the IPMA, has five levels, ranging from reduced to maximum. Calculations are based on air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and the amount of precipitation in the last 24 hours.
More than 50 municipalities in the districts of Bragança, Vila Real, Viseu, Guarda, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Santarém, Portalegre, and Faro are today at maximum rural fire risk, according to the Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA).
Lusa | 06:58 – 18/07/2025
