An intense heat wave has left the continent sweltering in recent days and ended the month with extreme weather. According to BBC data, Portugal set a new May record, reaching 40.3°C on 27 May. The record was set in Mora, Central Alentejo, narrowly surpassing the previous national record of 40°C from May 2001.

This thermal anomaly in our country is not isolated; it is part of a severe weather pattern that also hit the United Kingdom. A recent heat wave there broke an 82-year-old temperature record. Experts and climate reports agree that these extreme events will soon become common as global warming accelerates and raises average global temperatures.

Weather model forecasts indicate that Europe will continue to experience instability and intense heat throughout the coming weekend. This serves as a harbinger of what the northern hemisphere's summer may be like.

Countries such as Spain, Germany, and Switzerland are expecting extreme heat and abnormally high temperatures for this time of year. Strong thermal pressure is expected in most European capitals over the next several days.

Over the next few days, temperatures in Portugal are expected to rise slightly, though conditions will remain hot and dry. Projections indicate that maximum temperatures in the country will stabilise around 35°C, a value that, while not threatening new immediate records, remains considerably above seasonal averages. This outlook puts civil protection and public health authorities on high alert due to the risks posed by elevated radiation levels and wildfires in a territory already marked by water stress.