High temperatures, rain and Saharan dust hit Portugal

By Manuel Ribeiro Published on 23/05/2026 - 11:56 GMT+2•Updated 12:33 Share Comments Share Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp

Portugal’s IPMA forecasts weekend temperatures above seasonal norms, with rain and thunderstorms as a tropical air mass carries Saharan dust over Iberia.

Temperatures this weekend could reach 35 degrees in mainland Portugal, a spell of hot weather that IPMA considers unusual for the time of year.

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Thermometer readings are expected to be between 30 and 35 ºC across most of the country, and could reach 39 ºC in some inland areas of the Tagus Valley. Minimum temperatures are also set to rise nationwide, settling at around 20 ºC.

Over the weekend, the high temperatures will be accompanied by some cloud and showers along the coast, with the possibility of heavy rain and hail, with thunderstorms, in inland areas, particularly on Saturday afternoon. Owing to the humidity in the air, temperatures in those regions may dip slightly. There will also be dust in suspension coming from North Africa, IPMA adds.

According to IPMA, this weekend’s weather conditions are “favourable to the transport of dust from North Africa”. The suspended dust is expected to persist until the end of the day on Saturday.

What is this desert dust and what precautions should you take?

The phenomenon starts in the Sahara Desert in North Africa, when storms form with strong winds that lift large quantities of sand and dust.

The Meteo Trás os Montes portal, a Facebook page dedicated to providing information on weather phenomena, explains that “the heavier particles quickly fall back to earth close to where they originated”, that is, in the Sahara Desert. “The finer, lighter particles, on the other hand, can rise thousands of metres into the atmosphere and remain suspended for several days”.

Once they reach altitudes above 1,500 metres, the lighter dust particles “enter air currents” and begin “a long journey” that carries them across the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. “Depending on the weather conditions, these dust plumes can travel thousands of kilometres”. Some reach Europe, Spain and Portugal, while others make it to the other side of the Atlantic. When the wind changes direction or loses strength, these particles start to fall back to the surface.

This concentration of desert dust can cause discomfort for some people, such as allergies and other respiratory problems (asthma, bronchitis). It also causes hazy skies, reducing visibility, which can increase the risk, especially for those who are driving.

But there is an upside. The positive side of desert dust is that it is “rich in minerals, especially iron and phosphorus” and, when it falls into the ocean, it becomes an important nutrient for the marine food chain, Meteo Trás os Montes notes. When it reaches land, it “acts as a natural fertiliser”.

Rain: eight northern and central districts on yellow alert

IPMA also reports that the districts of Bragança, Vila Real, Braga, Viana do Castelo, Aveiro, Porto, Viseu and Guarda will be under a yellow warning this Saturday, the least severe on a three-tier scale, because of rain and thunderstorms.

The expected heatwave is likely to intensify over the course of next week, and the public is therefore advised to take specific precautions, such as increasing water intake, avoiding alcoholic drinks, seeking cool or air-conditioned places for at least two to three hours a day, avoiding direct exposure to the sun, especially between 11.00 and 17.00, and using sun cream with a factor higher than 30.

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