The weather in Portugal at the beginning of July has not only been hot, but also a bit odd.
Take Thursday morning, for example: the sky in the central Algarve was completely overcast, hinting at rain, and the temperature felt cool – if not cold. Yet, heat alerts have been issued in 12 regions across more than40 districts, including the Algarve, warning of maximum fire risk. The most affected municipalities are in the south of the country.
The Algarve has been experiencing peak temperatures well into the 30s, while some regions, such as the Alentejo, have had to contend with 40°C. The hottest temperature recorded so far this year in Portugal was 46.6°C (115.9°F) in June, in Moura, east of Lisbon.
What’s going on? Record-breaking heatwaves have forced schools to close across Europe. While Portugal and Spain have borne the brunt of the heat, German schools have also faced predictions of 40°C – too hot, according to Italian ice cream makers, for people to enjoy their products.
Heat-related deaths have been reported in France and elsewhere. The United Nations climate agency warns that heatwaves are expected to become more intense. Summer has barely begun.
Fortunately, temperatures generally start to drop after 6 p.m. Ice cream, reportedly, is best sold and enjoyed at around 25–26°C.
Drinking plenty of water is essential. Some people without adequate air conditioning have told us they manage to sleep at night by clutching bottles of ice-cold water next to their bodies in bed.
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