Speaking to the Lusa agency, meteorologist Mara João Frada explained that the mass of cold air that is currently over the continent will be gradually replaced by a mass of hot, tropical air.

“We will have an easterly current that will bring tropical air circulation, affecting mainland Portugal. Above average temperatures of over 10 degrees are forecast, with the exception of the Algarve,” she said.

According to the meteorologist at the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), a small rise in temperature is already forecast for today, between 2 and 4 degrees, especially in the interior regions.

“On Wednesday temperatures rise a little more, in the order of 4 to 7 degrees, except in the Algarve, and on Thursday they rise again. Overall, we will have an increase in some places of around 15 degrees,” she said.

According to Maria João Frada, this above-average hot weather situation for the time of year will continue at least until Sunday.

“Thus, from Thursday the maximum temperature values will vary between 25 and 28 degrees, possibly lower across the entire coastal strip and in the Algarve, being below 25 degrees. In the Tagus Valley, in some places in the Douro Valley (innermost part) and Alto Alentejo, temperatures of 30 degrees are expected,” she said.

According to the meteorologist, these maximum temperature values are above average and will begin to contribute to a heat wave in the IPMA stations from Thursday onwards, with the exception of the Algarve.