Temperatures across the country are surging, with some inland regions bracing for highs of up to 41ºC. The Portuguese Meteorological Institute (IPMA) has issued red heat warnings—the highest level—across five northern districts: Viana do Castelo, Braga, Porto, Vila Real, and Bragança. These alerts reflect prolonged and dangerously high daytime temperatures, particularly in interior areas, though coastal regions are expected to remain slightly cooler.
Minimum temperatures range from 16ºC in towns like Sines and Leiria, to as high as 24ºC in Portalegre. Meanwhile, maximums vary significantly, with Aveiro reaching 28ºC and inland areas such as Braga and Évora soaring to 41ºC.
According to climatologist Mário Marques, speaking to CNN Portugal, the current trend could mark this August as the hottest in 15 to 20 years—both in terms of daytime highs and overnight lows. "We may see an upward shift starting around 10 August," he noted, citing the presence of a powerful and persistent anticyclone that could further intensify conditions.
Fire Risk Soars Amid Relentless Heat
The heatwave has exacerbated Portugal's wildfire threat, placing the mainland under a general state of alert. Conditions have already sparked major blazes in the north, where hundreds of firefighters are battling flames in rugged terrain.
On Monday night, the village of Pardelhas in the Mondim de Basto municipality was nearly engulfed by approaching fires. In the nearby district of Vila Real, residents in the village of Pena were caught off guard as flames advanced with no firefighting teams initially present—diverted to more active fronts elsewhere, according to local media.
The fire, which ignited over the weekend in Vila Real and has since spread into Mondim de Basto, remains one of the most serious incidents currently burning in the country. As of early Tuesday, more than 600 firefighters and over 200 vehicles had been deployed in response.
Lisbon's Climate Future: Up to 50 Days Above 35ºC Annually
In the longer term, experts are sounding the alarm over Lisbon's vulnerability to rising temperatures. A collective of urban planning and climate specialists projects that the Portuguese capital could face up to 50 days per year with temperatures exceeding 35ºC by the end of the century.
The group has presented a climate resilience roadmap for 2050 to Lisbon's city council, outlining urgent adaptations the city must undertake. Their proposals include implementing "sponge city" infrastructure—green systems designed to absorb and retain rainwater—as well as regulatory changes and incentives to drive sustainable urban innovation.
As Portugal continues to grapple with immediate heat and fire challenges, the warnings from scientists and planners point to a future where such extremes may become increasingly routine.