Portugal breaks May heat record as western Europe moves into early emergency footing

Published by Albis · 30 May 2026

Portugal reached 40.3C in Mora, setting a new national May temperature record during an early-season heatwave that has also triggered health alerts, school closures and preparedness meetings across western Europe

• • A national May heat record this early in the season points to growing risks for health systems, water demand, agriculture and wildfire readiness.
• • Public-health transmission chain.
• • Portugal recorded 40.3C in the central town of Mora on Wednesday, setting a new national record for May, according to the BBC and The Watchers.
• • The reading surpassed Portugal’s previous May high of 40C, which the BBC said was set in May 2001.