"On Friday 25th, a further decrease in the maximum temperature is expected, with values below 30°C on the North and Central Coast, between 35 and 40°C in the Southern region, the Tagus Valley and Beira Baixa, and between 30 and 35°C in the rest of the country", says the institute.

The forecast is that the heat will start to ease up on Saturday, returning to normal temperatures for the season, with a sharper drop being expected in the Central and Southern regions of the country.