Portugal recorded a new national record for the hottest day of May, reaching a temperature of 40.3 degrees Celsius on Wednesday in Moura, a central city in the country. This reading surpassed the previous record of 40 degrees Celsius, which had been set in May 2001. This intense heatwave impacted a significant portion of Western Europe, leading to various disruptions, as reported by the BBC.
Meteorologists attribute the primary cause of the heatwave to a phenomenon known as a “heat dome.” This condition involves an area of persistent high atmospheric pressure that becomes trapped, effectively containing the hot air beneath it. Scientific experts note that while establishing a direct causal link between specific extreme weather events and climate change remains complex, they assert that global warming is contributing to the increased frequency and intensity of heatwaves. Data analysis continues to support the understanding that such climatic patterns are becoming more pronounced.
The elevated temperature levels across Portugal and surrounding regions highlight the current meteorological conditions. The establishment of this new record underscores the severity of the recent heat event across the Iberian Peninsula.
Topics: #record #portugal #temperature
