Te IPMA have advised that, on Saturday, the 18th August, the maximum air temperature will rise sharply, especially on the coast. The minimum temperature will also register a rise, particularly in the night from Saturday to Sunday.
On 18th and 19th, the maximum temperature will vary between 28 and 35 ° C in the coastal regions, between 29 and 34 ° C in the interior regions of the North and between 35 and 39 ° C in the regions of the interior of the Center and South. Maximum temperatures may reach 40 ° C in some places of the Alentejo and Tagus Valley.
To protect yourself from the harmful effects that intense heat may have on your health, you should stay abreast of the news and keep yourself hydrated and cool. The DGS recommends:
- Seek cool environments (preferably air conditioned);
- Try to keep the heat out of your home: close the blinds or shutters and keep air circulating inside the house; keep the house as cool as possible and avoid using the oven.
- Drink water or fresh, sugar-free fruit juices and avoid drinking alcohol;
- Avoid direct exposure to the sun, especially between 11 am and 5 pm.
- Wear loose (cotton) clothing that keeps most of your body covered, as well as a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses;
- Wear sunscreen with a protection factor higher than 30 and reapply every two hours.
- Choose the coolest hours to travel by car.
- Do not remain inside parked vehicles exposed to the sun and do not leave pets in the car either;
- Avoid strenuous physical activities;
- Pay particular attention to those who are more vulnerable to the heat, such as: children; the elderly; the chronically ill; pregnant women; people with reduced mobility; People who work outdoors and Isolated people;
- Offer water to newborn babies, children, the elderly and the sick, who may not be able to say that they are thirsty;
- The chronically ill and patients who are being medicated or following specific diets should obey their doctors’ orders;
- Children under the age of six months should not be exposed to the sun; children under the age of three should not be exposed to direct sunlight and should wear protective clothing and a sunscreen with a protection factor higher than fifty.
More details from DGS can be downloaded in Portuguese here