Portugal Sets New May Heat Record Amidst Widespread European Heatwave
Portugal breaks hottest May day record as Europe swelters in heatwave

Image: The Bbc
Portugal recorded its hottest May day ever with a temperature of 40.3°C in Mora, surpassing the previous record of 40°C from 2001. As western Europe experiences extreme heat, countries like France and Italy are implementing measures to cope, including red alerts and adjustments to public exams.
- 01The new record in Portugal was set on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.
- 02French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu convened a ministerial meeting to prepare for ongoing heatwaves, focusing on forest fire prevention and water supply management.
- 03In France, 17 departments, including Paris, are under an orange alert for high temperatures, with expected highs of 33°C in the capital.
- 04Italian authorities issued a red alert for Rome, where temperatures could reach 32°C, marking the first such warning of the year.
- 05The UN predicts that global average temperatures will remain near record levels, with the potential for another hottest year before 2031.
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Portugal has recorded its hottest May day ever, with temperatures reaching 40.3°C in Mora, surpassing the previous record of 40°C set in May 2001. This extreme heat is part of a broader heatwave affecting western Europe, prompting countries like France and Italy to take precautionary measures. In France, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu held a meeting to address the heatwave's impact, focusing on preventing forest fires and ensuring water supplies. Seventeen departments, including Paris, are under an orange alert, with expected temperatures of 33°C. Meanwhile, Italy has issued a red alert for Rome, where temperatures are forecasted to hit 32°C. The heatwave is anticipated to persist into the weekend, affecting daily life and events, including the French Open, where tennis player Jannik Sinner withdrew due to heat exhaustion. The UN has warned that global temperatures are likely to remain at record levels, with climate change contributing to the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves across Europe.
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The heatwave is affecting public health and education in several countries, prompting school closures and adjustments to exam schedules.
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