World · Malaysia Bureau
Portugal swelters through record-breaking September heat
Portugal has recorded its hottest September since temperature records began, with average temperatures significantly outpacing historical norms. The month saw average air temperatures of 23.4°C, nearly 3°C above the 1991-2020 baseline.
LSN Malaysia ·
Portugal's meteorological services confirmed that September 2024 marked the warmest September in the country's recorded climate history, underscoring the intensifying effects of global warming on Southern European weather patterns.
Data released by Portuguese weather authorities showed average air temperatures reached 23.4°C during the month, representing a 2.9°C deviation above the three-decade average of 1991-2020. Peak daily temperatures climbed to 31.03°C, further demonstrating the extreme heat conditions that gripped the Iberian Peninsula during what is traditionally considered an autumn month.
The record follows an increasingly common trend of extreme temperature events across Europe. Meteorologists attribute such anomalies to broader climate shifts, with Southern Europe proving particularly vulnerable to sustained heat waves that extend well into autumn months.
Portugal has been among Europe's most affected nations in recent years, experiencing severe droughts and wildfires linked to elevated temperatures and reduced precipitation. The latest September record adds to growing concerns about the trajectory of regional climate patterns and their implications for agriculture, water resources, and public health.