The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) predicts maximum temperatures of 39 degrees in Santarém and Braga, 37 in Leiria and Coimbra, 36 in Vila Real and Castelo Branco, 35 in Porto and Bragança, 34 in Lisbon and Évora and 32 in Braga, Guarda, Beja and Setúbal for today in mainland Portugal.

Several municipalities in the districts of mainland Portugal are at very high and high risk of fire today.

According to IPMA calculations, the fire risk will remain high in some districts at least until Wednesday.

This risk, determined by the IPMA, has five levels, ranging from low to high. The calculations are obtained from the air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and amount of precipitation in the last 24 hours.

Due to the hot weather, the IPMA has placed the districts of Évora, Beja, Castelo Branco and Portalegre under yellow alert from 11:57 pm on Sunday until 9:00 pm on Tuesday and Bragança, Guarda and Vila Real from 12:00 pm today until 9:00 pm on Tuesday.

The IPMA predicts for today on the mainland a generally partly cloudy sky, with periods of more cloudiness in the interior with the possibility of showers and thunderstorms and rising temperatures, except for the maximum in the South region, where a drop is expected.

Following the weather forecast, the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) recommended that the population drink water regularly, wear loose, cool clothing and apply sunscreen every two hours.

The DGS advises against sun exposure between 11am and 5pm and has asked for special care with the elderly, children and chronically ill, who should stay in cooler environments and be protected from the sun.