Portugal May Temperature Record Sends Yellow Warning Across Mainland
Portugal may temperature record pressure has placed almost all mainland Portugal under a yellow weather warning today and Thursday, with every mainland district except Faro covered until 6pm on Thursday. Forecasters expect temperatures to climb to 38ºC in Santarém and Évora, while Faro should reach about 29ºC.
The warning also brings hot nights, with minimum temperatures forecast to stay at 23ºC overnight in Portalegre. Bragança, Viseu, Guarda and Vila Real are under warning for thunderstorms, heavy showers, hail and strong wind gusts later today.
Faro Stays Outside the Yellow Alert
Faro is the only mainland district not included in the yellow alert, a sharp contrast with the rest of mainland Portugal. The district is still expected to see around 29ºC, lower than the 38ºC forecast for Santarém and Évora, but still part of the unusually hot spell pushing conditions across the country.
The broad warning covers nearly the whole mainland rather than a single hot corridor, and that means the heat is arriving alongside unstable weather in the north and centre. Four mainland districts face thunderstorms, heavy showers, hail and strong wind gusts later today, while the rest of the mainland sits under the yellow alert through Thursday evening.
Algarve Wildfire Danger
Several Algarve municipalities are under maximum wildfire danger, adding another layer to the forecast. Aljezur, Monchique, Portimão, Silves, Loulé, São Brás de Alportel and Tavira are among the seven Algarve municipalities listed at that highest level.
For residents and visitors, that means the most immediate pressure is not only heat but the combination of dry conditions and fire danger in parts of the Algarve. The warning area is wide, but the risk profile is uneven: some districts are dealing with high temperatures, others with storms, and the Algarve with the highest fire danger designation.
Europe Heatwave Spread
Authorities across Europe are on alert as the heatwave spreads through Spain, France, the UK, Ireland, Austria and the Czech Republic. The wider spell is bringing record temperatures for May and raising fears of forest fires.
Michael Bruxo reported the situation as part of the wave of unusually hot weather affecting Portugal. The yellow warning in mainland Portugal remains in force until 6pm on Thursday, with the strongest heat expected in Santarém and Évora and the overnight minimum in Portalegre set to stay unusually high.
