DGS: Portugal recorded 69 excess deaths during heat alert

«During the hot weather alert period that began on June 28, 2025, excess mortality was detected, with 69 excess deaths observed in mainland Portugal», indicated the DGS .

According to the Icarus index (which estimates the impact of air temperatures on mortality) of July 2, 2025, the health authority warns that “a significant impact of heat on mortality is expected to continue over the next three days, which could lead to an upward revision of excess mortality”.

The DGS highlights that extreme heat is a phenomenon known to have a potential negative impact on health, as a consequence of dehydration and/or decompensation of chronic diseases, among other factors.

Anticipating the heat wave that would occur, the Directorate-General for Health, in accordance with the most up-to-date information from IPMA and other partners, issued on June 25, 2025, on its different platforms, several recommendations to the population for protection against the heat.

The DGS states that it will continue to monitor the situation regularly, updating the information whenever necessary.

Around a third of the weather stations in mainland Portugal exceeded or equaled their previous record highs for maximum temperatures for the month of June over the weekend, according to the IPMA.

On Sunday, a new absolute extreme was reached in Mora, Évora, for the month of June in mainland Portugal, with the meteorological station recording 46.6 degrees Celsius (ºC).

The 31 stations, out of a total of 90, where maximum temperatures were reached or exceeded were, in addition to Mora, Alvega with 46ºC (the last maximum was 45.4ºC), followed by Alvalade, Coruche, Tomar, Pegões, Avis, Mértola, Santarém, Amareleja, Reguengos, Beja, Proença a Nova, Zebreira, Alcoutim, Estremoz, and among them, Chaves, Cabeceira de Bastos, Moimenta da Beira, Arouca, Cabril, Zambujeira, Vila Real, Viseu, Pampilhosa da Serra, Vinhais, Lamas de Mouro, Foía and Montalegre, which reached 34.4ºC (the previous maximum had been 34ºC on 20 June 2003.

At Portalegre station, the previous absolute maximum minimum air temperature in June was also surpassed on Sunday, with 31.5ºC.

According to IPMA data, on Sunday, around 82% of meteorological stations recorded maximum air temperature values ​​above 35°C and around 37% of meteorological stations reached maximum air temperature values ​​above 40°C.

The 29th was the hottest day of the month with an average maximum temperature of 38.5°C (deviation from the monthly average of +11.8°C) and an average minimum temperature of 28.7°C (deviation from the monthly average of +8.4°C).