Portugal prepares for an extreme heat wave that can extend until early July, with a fire risk in various parts of the country. DGs warns that care should have.
Mainland Portugal will face, in the coming days, a heat wave with maximum temperatures that can exceed 40 ° C in various regions of the country.
The Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) foresees a gradual rise of temperature from this Thursday that should intensify on Friday and on the weekend, With special incidence in the South, the Tagus Valley and the Douro Valley.
In some areas of the interior, the thermometers may reach between 43 and 45 ° C, especially Beja (44th), Évora (43º), Santarém and Setúbal (42º) and Lisbon (41º).
A exposure to ultraviolet radiation will be at very high levels throughout the continental territory, so it is essential to adopt protection measures. The whole country is at risk of fire.
How to protect yourself from radiation and heat
The Directorate-General for Health (DGS) and IPMA recommend to avoid direct sun exposure between 11 and 17 hours, the use of sunscreen with a factor exceeding 30, renewing the application every two hours, as well as the use of UV filter sunglasses, wide-tab hat and fresh, wide clothes that cover most of the body.
The population should also remain hydrated, drinking water or natural fruit juices even without thirsty, and avoid alcoholic beverages. Meals should be light and more frequent throughout the day. It is equally important to stay in fresh environments for at least two to three hours a day and allow air circulation at home at the end of the day, running blinds and carried in the hottest hours.
The DGS also warns of the need for special attention to children, the elderly, chronic patients and people with reduced mobility.
Due to high temperatures and heat persistence, the IPMA issued Orange warnings For the districts of Évora, Faro, Setúbal, Beja and Portalegre between Saturday and Sunday.
Other districts will be under yellow warning In different periods, including Lisbon, Santarém, Castelo Branco, Viseu, Guarda, Vila Real and Bragança.
The presence of dust Suspension should also affect the territory, especially from Friday, starting in the south and extending to the rest of the country.
The duration of this heat wave is not yet totally certain, but may be extended until the beginning of Julyespecially in the south.
