Just when you'd expect cardigans and rain jackets, Portugal is gearing up for another round of summer. Forecasters expect temperatures to climb past 30°C in several regions next week, with the hottest stretch likely between Tuesday and Thursday, when parts of the Alentejo and Ribatejo could hit 32°C — roughly eight degrees above what's normal for mid-October.
The numbers elsewhere are striking too. Meteored's forecast puts Alcácer do Sal at around 31°C on Monday, October 12, with Évora and Beja close to 29°C and Lisbon reaching 28°C. If you're on the coast in the north or centre, you'll feel a different story — those areas should stay noticeably cooler. The Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) has flagged exceptionally warm conditions across the mainland between October 12 and 18, with a heatwave considered likely.
The warmth should hold for much of the week before things drift back to more typical October levels. But climatologist Mário Marques told CNN Portugal that these warm autumn spells are starting to look less like an anomaly and more like the new normal. "It increasingly seems normal to have temperatures above average in October," he said.
There's a catch for anyone dreaming of beach weather, though: the rain still hasn't turned up. Marques warns Portugal could be facing an extremely dry month if meaningful rainfall doesn't arrive soon. October usually marks the shift towards cooler, wetter conditions, and long stretches of heat delay that transition — bad news for reservoirs, farmers and the risk of wildfire late in the season.
For travellers, this is essentially a bonus week of summer. Terrace dinners in Lisbon, a dip off the Alentejo coast and vineyard visits under blue skies are all on the table well into mid-October. Pack for warm days, but bring a layer for cooler coastal areas and cooler evenings — and keep an eye on local conditions, since dry weather can affect everything from hiking trail access to water restrictions in some areas.
