Since last Sunday lForest fires have ravaged northern and central Portugal and especially in the districts of Aveiro, Coimbra, Porto and Viseu. There are already more than 100 active outbreaks and the cweather conditions They play a very important role in controlling and extinguishing these fires.
The weather forecast Wind, temperatures and humidity are key and in the next few hours There will be changes in all of them.
Fires in Portugal: this is the weather forecast for the north and centre
On Wednesday afternoon the wind will shift to the northwest and lose intensity. Map: Eltiempo.es
The key this time will be the wind.In recent days, the east wind has blown strongly, making firefighting efforts difficult. This Wednesday The forecast indicates that the wind will blow from the southeast with speeds of between 15 and 20 km/h but throughout the afternoon the wind will turn to the northwestwith gusts that can reach 30 km/h.
Humidity will increase with this change in wind above 70%. However, no rain is expected and maximum temperatures today will be between 26ºC and 30ºC. Minimum temperatures will drop to 15ºC next morning.
On Thursday the wind will predominate from the northwest.with gusts that will not exceed 30 km/h and a humidity above 70-80%. The maximum temperatures will drop, for example in Aveiro the maximum expected is 23ºC. These conditions are much more favorable when controlling the fire.
Rain will reach northern and central Portugal on Friday, helping with firefighting efforts. Map: Eltiempo.es
On Friday In addition, there may be rainfall in the area. The probability of rain is greater than 90%they would not be very intense but could help with the firefighting efforts. Temperatures will also be between 21ºC and 25ºC and the wind will continue to blow from the west-northwest.
What meteorological factors favor fires? What is the rule of 30?
Las high temperatures, low relative humidity and gusts of wind strong can be key factors in the spread of fires in Portugal. These three variables make up the well-known rule of 30.
The well-known 30-30-30 rule says that temperatures above 30ºCa Relative humidity below 30% and winds above 30 km/h They are the main ingredients one-third of large forest fires.
