Cooler weather and rain forecast after Portugal’s heatwave

Days after an exceptional heatwave sent temperatures soaring above 40ºC in many parts of Portugal, the weather is set to take a dramatic turn, with cooler conditions and even some rain forecast for the coming days.

According to the Portuguese Institute for the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA), an Atlantic low-pressure system northeast of the Azores is moving slowly southeast, allowing cooler, more humid maritime air to reach mainland Portugal.

The change is expected today (Sunday, July 12), with temperatures continuing to fall into Monday after several days of intense heat that saw almost all mainland districts placed under red weather warnings.

IPMA meteorologist Madalena Rodrigues said the recent heatwave was “completely exceptional and extreme” and is not expected to be repeated in the near future.

Before the cooler air arrives, an upper-level trough is expected to bring some atmospheric instability, with the possibility of scattered showers and thunderstorms, particularly in the northeast of the country.

Forecasts suggest temperatures may recover slightly from Wednesday, July 15, but are expected to remain close to seasonal norms. Lisbon is forecast to see highs of around 28ºC to 29ºC, while inland areas could reach between 30ºC and 35ºC.

Meteorologists stress these temperatures are typical for July and are a far cry from the widespread extreme heat experienced earlier this month.

Weather forecasters also expect light rain to return on Sunday, mainly affecting the North and Centre of the country as a weak Atlantic frontal system crosses the mainland.

Forecast models indicate the rain will be generally light and patchy, with most areas receiving between 0.5mm and 5mm of precipitation. The wettest conditions are expected along the North and Centre coast, extending inland across parts of Minho, Aveiro, Coimbra, Leiria and Lisbon districts during the afternoon.

Some drizzle may also reach the Alentejo coast and the western Algarve, while isolated showers cannot be ruled out in parts of Vila Real, Viseu, Santarém and Guarda.

The weather pattern is being driven by an isolated upper-level depression over the Atlantic, which is expected to remain northwest of the Iberian Peninsula for several days. While it will funnel cooler Atlantic air into Portugal, it is simultaneously expected to reinforce hot air over eastern Spain, southern France and parts of the western Mediterranean, where temperatures are forecast to rise again.

For Portugal, however, the system is expected to keep temperatures closer to average for the time of year, bringing a welcome respite after one of the most intense heatwaves on record.

Sources: IPMA/Tempo.pt

Inês Lopes

Newspaper editor at The Portugal Resident