The red warning, issued by the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA), due to the persistence of extremely high maximum temperatures over 40 degrees, will be in effect until 18:00 on Wednesday, then changing to orange.

According to the IPMA, the red warning corresponds to “a meteorological situation of extreme risk”.

Fire risk

In view of the forecasts, almost the entire territory of mainland Portugal currently presents a maximum and very high risk of rural fire.

The IPMA has also issued an orange warning for the districts of Aveiro, Viseu, Coimbra, Leiria, Santarém, Lisbon, Setúbal, Évora and Beja because of the hot weather which will be in effect until 6:00 pm on Wednesday.

The district of Faro is under a yellow warning because of the persistence of high values ​​of the maximum temperature (until 18:00 on Wednesday) and due to the forecast of maritime agitation.

This very hot weather situation results from the circulation of a very hot and dry air mass, originating in North Africa, which will persist until Friday, with temperature values ​​above average, with the exception of coastal areas.