by All districts in mainland Portugal are under yellow alert due to forecasts of hot weather, which turns orange on Sunday in the districts of Évora and Beja, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).
On Sunday, the IPMA yellow alert for “persistence of high maximum temperature values” also extends to Madeira (north and south coasts and Porto Santo) and, on the mainland, remains in the districts of Vila Real, Bragança, Guarda, Castelo Branco, Portalegre, Santarém, Setúbal and Faro.
On Monday, the institute keeps Évora and Beja under orange warning, also extending it to the south coast of Madeira and the districts of Vila Real, Bragança, Guarda, Castelo Branco, Portalegre, Santarém, Setúbal and Faro.
The yellow alert is issued whenever there is a risk situation for certain activities depending on the weather situation, while the orange alert corresponds to a moderate to high risk weather situation.
Temperatures above 40 degrees
The IPMA predicts the continuation of hot weather for the next few days, with maximum temperature values of around 42 degrees Celsius in Évora and Beja and above 30 degrees in practically all districts, with the exception of Viana do Castelo, Porto and Aveiro. .
The issue is, according to the IPMA, the action of an “anticyclonic ridge between the Bay of Biscay and the archipelago of Madeira, which will give rise to a circulation which will bring an air mass originating from North Africa “.
“Following this episode of heat wave which should extend further south of the Tagus and Beira Baixa where a heat wave is expected until the 29th, it is therefore advisable to follow the instructions of the General Directorate of Health for hot weather situations,” the IPMA said in a statement.
Precautions to take to beat the heat
- Look for cool, ventilated, or air-conditioned environments
- Drink at least 1.5 litres/day of water, the equivalent of 8 glasses
- Drink natural fruit juices without adding sugar
- Avoid alcohol consumption
- Avoid direct sunlight, especially between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
- Use a sunscreen with an index equal to or greater than 30 and reapply every 2 hours and after swimming at the beach or in the pool
- Wear loose, opaque clothing that covers most of the body, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with ultraviolet protection
- Avoid activities that require significant physical effort, namely sports and leisure in the street
- Choose less hot times to travel by car and not stay inside cars parked in the sun
- Pay particular attention to groups more vulnerable to heat: children, the elderly, chronically ill people, pregnant women, people with reduced mobility, workers with an outdoor activity, those who practice physical activity and isolated people
- Chronic patients or patients subject to specific medications and/or diets should follow the recommendations of the attending physician or the SNS 24 contact center: 808 24 24 24
- Make sure children drink water or natural juices frequently and stay in a cool and ventilated environment
- Children under 6 months should not be exposed to direct or indirect sunlight
- Contact and support the elderly and other isolated people. Ensure good hydration and permanence in a cool and ventilated environment
- moderate physical activity
“We will have to get used to living in a less friendly climate”
Portugal is in a drought situation and is now also facing a heat wave. Climatologist Carlos Câmara explained to SIC Notícias that heat waves have become more frequent and prolonged.
Very high fire risk
Weather conditions, together with low relative humidity values, led to the IPMA also putting several municipalities in the interior of the Center, as well as the South region, at very high risk of rural fire, to be classified with maximum or very high values.
This IPMA forecast also led to National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) to alert on the high risk of fires on the continent, recommending preventive measures.
