Extreme heat: Portugal on red alert until Sunday

The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has placed 12 of mainland Portugal's 18 districts under red warning (the most severe level on the scale, which signals an "extreme weather risk situation"), from Thursday and at least until Saturday, due to the forecast of hot weather with "persistently extremely high maximum and minimum temperatures".

The red warning for heat will be extended from this Thursday to Beja, Évora, Portalegre and Santarém, in addition to Lisbon and Setúbal, and on Friday it will also cover Aveiro, Braga, Porto and Viana do Castelo, as well as Coimbra and Leiria.

The remaining six mainland districts, namely Bragança, Castelo Branco, Faro, Guarda, Vila Real and Viseu, will be under orange warning (the second most severe level on the scale, which signals a "moderate to high weather risk situation"), between Thursday and Saturday, according to IPMA.

The earlier weather forecasts, released on Wednesday, had placed only the districts of Lisbon and Setúbal under red warning because of the heat from Thursday, with Coimbra and Leiria joining them on Friday.

In a statement, IPMA says that a "prolonged spell of very hot, dry weather" is expected, with maximum temperatures reaching between 35 and 41°C across most of the territory, and between 41 and 44°C in the Tagus Valley and Alentejo.

"Minimum temperatures will be above 20°C across much of the mainland, with regions where night-time temperatures are not expected to fall below 24 to 28°C for several nights, including Greater Lisbon," the Portuguese meteorological institute explains.

IPMA notes that, "compared with the usual climate in mainland Portugal", the situation will be particularly unusual in coastal regions, "where the lack of sea breeze progression inland and/or its weak intensity will contribute to high temperatures over several consecutive days, creating a rare situation in some locations".

Weather conditions in mainland Portugal are being influenced by an anticyclone located to the north/northwest of the Azores archipelago and, according to IPMA's forecasts, this episode of extreme heat is expected to last at least a week.

IPMA has also warned of very high to extreme values of the Ultraviolet Index. Across the mainland, until Friday, 3 July, very high values are expected in all districts, ranging from an index level of 10, classified as very high, to 11, corresponding to an extreme level.

The authorities advise against sun exposure, especially around solar noon, when the UV Index reaches its peak, and recommend the use of sunglasses with UV filter, a hat, T-shirt, sunshade and sunscreen.

Some "rules" to follow to avoid harming your health during a period of extreme heat:

Drink at least 1.5 litres of water and avoid alcoholic and caffeinated drinks;

Stay in cool or air-conditioned environments, with shade and air circulation, and keep windows, blinds and shutters closed during the hottest periods;

Avoid direct exposure to the sun, especially between 11.00 and 17.00, and use sunscreen with a protection factor of 30 or higher;

Wear light-coloured, loose, lightweight clothing that covers most of the body, along with a hat and sunglasses with ultraviolet protection;

Avoid outdoor activities that require intense physical effort;

Choose the cooler hours of the day to travel by car, and do not remain inside parked vehicles exposed to the sun;

Pay particular attention to groups more vulnerable to heat, such as children, older people, people with chronic illnesses, pregnant women and outdoor workers;

In an emergency, if you experience warning signs such as heavy sweating, fever, vomiting/nausea or a rapid or weak pulse, contact SNS 24 on 808 24 24 24, or call the European emergency number 112.